An Indelible Grin

Yesterday I rode with a woman much younger than myself, who’s cycling skills greatly exceed my own.  Jen is a professional athletic trainer and an amateur racer, and to be honest, I was more than a little intimidated to ride alone with her. It wasn’t just a ride, it was a friendly race up a steep hill in Douglas County. Twelve miles distance, how would I keep up?

I didn’t keep up. She rolled up that hill like I roll down.

But that’s okay, because I had the unique opportunity to learn by observation. Jen pushed me hard and though she beat me by a mile, I "PR'd", riding the course 31 seconds faster than my previous best. And from beginning to end, I had an indelible grin splattered across my face.

Riding with Jen has made me thankful in a broader sense for the super-accomplished athletic women in my life. Jen, on her bike. Mary, wielding her racquet. Teresa, the flag football queen. And Marge, who conquers every challenge with more grace and style than I’ve ever seen in one person alone. And then there are those women who inspire me intellectually & spiritually & philosophically. And my giggle-friends, girls who paint a silly smile on my face, each and every time I see them.

The weather forecast is “rain mixed with snow”. But here, in my heart, thanks to the women in my life, it’s a bright, bright sun-shiny day.
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