Livestrong

I rarely talk about my dreams.  I think that is because I rarely remember my dreams.  Last night I had one of those dreams that stayed with me the entire day today.   

This morning I woke up convinced that I had spent last night talking to Lance Armstrong.

It was neither his snarky smile nor his cyclist's body that linger in my memory.   It was his generosity.  It was his Livestrong.  

I feel compelled to write him, just to close the loop on anything that may have gone unsaid last night. 

Dear Lance, 

It was nice to meet you last night.   I was so glad that I had the chance to hear about the founding of Livestrong.  I was happy to have had the chance to tell you how much it has added to my life.  

Those of us who have been physically, emotionally and psychologically reduced by cancer are deeply grateful for the foundation's generosity in making gym time available to us.   Each Monday and Wednesday night I meet four other cancer patients at my YMCA and we have an hour and a half of time with a trainer who helps us build cardio and muscle strength according to the schedule the foundation has created.

It helps to have guidance and to learn how to use all of the machines in the gym.  It helps to see our arms regain muscle lost during (now) years of chemo.  The best part is undoubtedly our new Livestrong friends.  

Our trainer is a happy and delightful person who is always smiling.  He tells us stories while challenging us to stay on our toes.  He brings joy to our sessions and has created an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie among us.  

The ladies I have met have lived fascinating stories and experiences.  They have spent their lives teaching children, running marathons, training as ballerinas, managing factories, counseling women in prison, acting as spiritual guides for orphans and foundlings, raising children who have their own restaurants.   I am humbled by them and their lives and their warmth and generosity of spirit.  I am grateful for the many small parts of our lives that overlap.  We all have strangely similar personalities in some way.  We are all happy to be together twice a week.  

My mood and stamina have improved in the past 6 weeks. Whether it is the call to attention that my muscles received or the love and friendship that my soul has received, I'm not completely sure, but I clearly needed both much more than I realized.  

So thank you, Lance.  I never really understood how anyone could ride their bike 137 miles a day up and down hills for 21 days in a row anyway, so I'm not a critic of anyone's doping.  You're still the King of the Mountains in my book and the only guy who could (be crazy enough to) pull that off seven times.   As that controversy fades, the world will continue to celebrate the important and timeless contribution of your getting cancer patients to the gym.  Priceless legacy.

Thank you for Livestrong. 

https://www.livestrong.com/

 



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