This experience has solidified my belief that challenges arise for a reason, and God works in mysterious ways. “God is great, beer is good And people are crazy” as my cousin would say…
At my initial dentist appointment, the appointment was rescheduled, causing a lot of complications. Though it wasn’t ideal, that exact experience ultimately led me to see the amazing Doctor who found the cancer, potentially saving my life. Had I not seen her that day, the outcome could have been vastly different. It’s a powerful reminder to trust the journey, even when things feel frustrating. So thank you God for rescheduling that and having my back. I’m incredibly grateful for Dr. Sam’s expertise and the twist of fate that brought us together.
He shows up in so many ways. My dad is a big biker. He is an adrenaline junky and loves doing crazy endurance challenges. More than that, he loves seeking a personal challenge, drinking coffee and talking to his buds about wheels. Though, I can remember all the times walking down to the garage being surprised by my dad and his buddy in the garage… he’s known as the mechanic of the neighborhood and constantly getting business. Always tinkering and fixing rides for my friends too. But while he takes pride in helping others, cycling is his true outlet. It’s where I see him truly alive, accomplishing the goals he sets for himself. I love seeing my dad accomplish the things he works towards.
But cycling has always been where we connect. As a kid, he’d be the one cheering me on at my mountain bike races. He’d be behind me during my whole race then do his own ride. I vividly remember one race where I met him at the end and I thought I’d won, only to find out Dad had secretly completed two laps in the same time I did one! Despite the competition, cycling was also where we learned about life and each other. There were times, like one muddy race where my tiny wheels sank and I was so mad (I wasn’t the easiest kid to coach). Through it all, he’d be the one laughing, throwing my bike over his shoulder, fixing my chain, and sending me back on course “Knock it off and go again.” He picked me up when I fell, both literally and figuratively, and knew exactly what to do even when I was a real pain. Even if he was a pain right back waking me up at 5am for spin class.
A few years back, he was introduced to the Leadville 100 – the legendary mountain bike race in Leadville Colorado. Atop the Rocky Mountains at 10,152 feet, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in all of North America. Starting at 10,000 feet and climbing to over 12,500 feet, the 100-mile course is brutal. Getting into the race itself is a feat, so the first year, my Dad decided to volunteer to build some camaraderie and hopefully improve his chances in the lottery. He got in and ended up falling short to the buckle.
My Dad fell in love with Leadville and we all wanted to see my dad conquer it. The next year my Mom found this amazing organization called First Descents. They take young adults battling cancer and other serious illnesses on incredible outdoor adventures with a motto to OUTLIVE IT! It was a perfect fit for Dad’s love of biking and helping others. They offer a deal – you raise $3,500 for them and you get to ride Leadville as part of their team. For the past three years, we’ve watched my Dad race for First Descents, raising over $10,000 for these young heroes.
Not even a year later of his last race I was diagnosed with cancer. Without knowing, he was racing and raising money for his daughter who later was diagnosed with cancer to go on those crazy adventures. I hope to one day ride Leadville with Dad, inspiring others to fight and outlive their battles. I’m excited to join their adventures and you can count on me to give my all. Thank you, First Descents!
My best friend and I were in the car driving and chatting about how amazing the Ronald McDonald House Charities are. Little did I know, as we raved about their work, that her sorority actually raised money for that very cause. It turns out, her fundraising efforts were even more personal. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Here I was, celebrating their work, completely unaware that I myself would soon be facing the same challenge. While I’m fortunate enough not to need their housing assistance right now, this experience has deepened my faith and trust in the bigger picture. It’s a powerful reminder that kindness can come from unexpected places, and that good works often have a ripple effect, touching lives in ways we can’t always anticipate.
Thank you for reading!
Kam
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