Reflections

Sunday was quite the day. We were on the road by 8 and though the local forecast was calling for thunderstorms, it was a beautiful day. Some clouds were scattered throughout the blue sky, the air was cool and the sun was warm on our back as we road west to make our way through Kansas.

We knew to expect crosswinds, and likely this was a comparatively mild day, but as we pushed on they seemed to become more significant. It wasn't an unpleasant encounter by any means, but after a few hours of battling the fierce crosswinds, the muscles in my neck and shoulders became taut. As I leaned forward into the wind,neck and elbows aligned, holding tight to the bars, it brought back memories of riding my dirt bike as a kid. I love the physics of motorcycling,riding fast and cornering low, so I found myself quite pleasured by this endurance challenge.

As I was riding through Kansas, wondering about the people who live here, my mind and heart honored the memory of Dr. George Tiller, a veteran and compassionate man who chose to carry on the legacy of service to women that his father began decades ago. Dr. Tiller was assassinated by Scott Roeder, an American terrorist our nation softly regards as an "anti-abortion activist". As I road past the military convoy I felt sad for the loss of our soldiers and angry about the war in Iraq. I allowed myself the passion, drama and fury to liken Osama bin Laden to Scott Roeder, both terrorist and martyrs for their cause, but only one made to be villain that he truly is....

Thank goodness for the Kansas wind, there to harness my energy and to Mandi for interrupting my thoughts with her great sense of humor.

Barbara