The dark blue waters in the lakes along my ride reflects all hues of green, white, yellows, and silvery blues, and seem to blur the distinction between earth and sky. It's the kind of day where a half hour of riding seems like it passes by in about 3 minutes.
This ride is heavenly, I think to myself, trying hard to stay focused on the ride and the moment.
My "usual" thoughts these days are heavier than normal.
A few years back, I promised to take care of a loved one as she grew older, and now, protecting her means keeping her from doing things that are not in her best interest, and she has very much let me know how much she hates me for it.
The world is full of takers. Regardless of the 'label' they wear... 'brother', 'son', 'friend', 'family', etc., there are basically two kinds of people in the world: those who live to feed off others, and those who've learned the much harder lesson of feeding themselves and finding their own way, no matter what.
In choosing to protect this person, I am putting myself squarely in the line of those who would continue to take her for granted and set her up for failure.
That's a tough place to be. A lonely place to be.
But in being a man of honor. and knowing my intentions are clean, without any false or self-interest, I'm willing to stand in the face of ugly people and say, simply: "no".
No, I don't claim to know what's "best" for this person, but I certainly do know what's worse for her, and that's where I draw the line.
The ride clears my energy and bolsters my spirit, and so I ride. These endless scenes of nature fill my helmet (and my head) for a while... good enough for now.
