More Lessons Learned on the Back of the Bike

This was a nice weekend, the first summer like weekend, it was actually hot. Saturday was beautiful, Randy and I took two long bike rides. It was so warm that I was sleepy during the first one. I nodded off twice! Not cool! But it was great just being on the road, holding on to the one I love and seeing the world rush by us. I love the green of Illinois. I love the old barns, the trees, the fields of wild flowers...it is home. Where I belong. We went to church, had a great time with Alan and Cindy and little Barron. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings and could not hear anything, but the food was great. Then off for a second bike ride at night. The moon was so beautiful and it was one of those nights that it is so light you can see everything. The stars were so bright.

I felt so small under that sky. I always pray on the bike, which is probably a good thing because as I fell asleep on it. But, I gave over everything I am worried about. I offered up many prayers for people in my life that I love who are dealing with change, health problems, struggles and uncertainty. I also gave thanks for everything that I have and my blessings have been abundant. I am so thankful for every moment of every day God has blessed me with and on the bike, I can really focus in to that. Riding a bike is dangerous I know, but we love it. For me, I cannot multi-task, I am not distracted by music or conversation, I cannot do anything but hold on and experience what is right there in front of me. I am present. I am not in the driver's seat. I am not professional girl, I am just Cheri, the girl that loves Randy. How many times can I say that during a regular day?

I need to be Just Cheri more. I need to do what Luke told me to do when he was a little boy and I was so unhappy at St John's. He told me when I cross the bridge on East Lake Drive to drop it all off at the bridge and forget about it until it is time to go back to work. I need to adopt that practice again, I am in a good, good place now and I tend to overdo it because of that. So my goal is to learn this summer from those moments on the bike and to shift my priorities to where they belong. Holding on to Randy and Luke, being a God Follower, daughter, sister and friend.