Today we had our Ride for Hannah. We rode our bikes around our park during Tribal park day, well, we used many different kinds of wheels actually. I did not get many pictures since I ended up taking numerous different kids around on the tandem bike. Emma and I yelled really loudly as we went around the fastest turns. We yelled out each of the names of the family-- in joyful voices to project our happiness and fortune in being able to know these awesome people. We also said their family prayer:

It is a blessing to be...

It is a blessing to be here...

It is a blessing to be here now...

It is a blessing to be here now together.

Jenny said that we should scatter Hannah at the park, because it is such a place of happiness for us. So we took some of her ashes and each kid got to spread them. It was glorious. Now Hannah will be there every week while we play. She will always be a part of our kids free and happy play.

We had more than 20 people there riding, sharing and being with us for our Hannah Ride.

I really wanted to do this Hannah Ride (and I am kinda glad I did not have to drag our tandem bike all the way to North Carolina). I met Hannah and her family in 2005. Since then I have watched them with awe as they prove over and over again that life is precious and that everyone can move towards joy. It reminds me of the sign that is on the wall at Karen’s chemo room:

Cancer is so limited.
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot quench the spirit

Cancer has had it’s impact on my life, but I will forever hold Hannah in my heart as a reminder that every day that is lived in freedom, with a joyful heart- is worth a lifetime of just suffering through this world uninspired.

It is a blessing to be here now together...