In 2012, Becky and I did a 1000-mile handcycle trip around the perimeter of Florida.
Yesterday’s photo captured an episode from that adventure. I was invited to speak to a wonderful group of folks who were working hard to overcome developmental disabilities. I was supposed to be somehow inspirational to them.
As almost always happens, they ended up inspiring me. Their remarkable attitudes and their excitement about the opportunities they’d been “given” were infectious, and most welcome to a guy who was admittedly a bit weary after lots of miles.
We spoke to the director of the center and learned of their struggle to maintain adequate funding. It was frustrating – the people running this place were making such an extraordinary difference, helping these folks operate in the community, teaching them to be self-reliant, and securing the relatively tiny bit of funding required was a constant battle.
Those sorts of conversations tend to depress me, but this group of folks wasn’t going to allow that. We went outside and found them lined up, several with orange pom-poms, prepared to give me a rousing sendoff!
These people had all the reason in the world to complain. Instead, this lovely group wanted to cheer for me.
Occasionally someone wonders why I keep writing this blog. The answer is simple.
I hope to be a cheerleader. I hope somewhere along the line my story encourages or inspires someone. Thinking about yesterday’s quote, we’ve all got some torn down places. Each time I write, my goal is to say something that might, in some small way, rebuild one of those spots in someone else.
Or, in myself.
Each time I speak to a group, Becky prays the same silent prayer. “Jesus, please speak to these people through Rich’s words.”
On that day in Florida, it was the other way around. Jesus spoke to me through a group of people with silly orange pom-poms.
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Spend 45 seconds smiling at my group of cheerleaders:
Can’t see the video? CLICK HERE