LIFE

Written by cycleguy on November 8th, 2016

I had planned on giving you an update of our Day of Service but LIFE has a way of throwing Clayton Kershaw curve balls at you. Yesterday (Monday) I was riding my bike about 2:30 in the afternoon. I had gotten a late start due to thngs at the office. I was a little over 4 miles away from the church building (where I keep my bike) when out of nowhere a speeding early model Ford Escape-like SUV decided to use me as a bumper car. It is so surreal-terrifying; anger for being hit and left; not sure what or if anything is broken; searching for your phone to take a picture then call 911; to watching a hematoma blow up to ungodly proportions on your hip; to spending 6 hours in an ER waiting for X-rays ; to being so sore & knowing tomorrow is going to hurt worse; to gratitude for friends close by & those far away (people you don’t even know) telling your daughters they are praying for their dad; to unlimited thanks to a good, good Father it was not worse-all go through my mind even as I write this.

I am grateful for the outpouring of support I have received. This is one of a cyclist’s worst nightmare (paralysis being the worst) and tears roll down my cheeks as I write this out of gratitude for God’s grace & protection. I do hope they find the perpetrator-not for the purpose of revenge or medical bills help-but so he/she will NEVER do this again. People who leave scenes like this are cowards of the highest order. Did they do it on purpose? Did they hit me then realize it and run? Were they texting or playing with their phone or looking down? Did they realize what they did & run? Are they even aware of what they did? Questions which will probably go unanswered.

I may never know the answers to those questions. It bugs me but I am more concerned now with fellow cyclists who face the same cowardice & recklessness.

In the end, I’d appreciate your prayers for a full & complete recovery. Share the road folks. Cyclists have as much right to be on it as cars do. Stay alert while driving.

 

32 Comments so far ↓

  1. Crystal says:

    SO VERY THANKFUL that you are OK, and praying you can soon feel 100% back to par! You and your family are very dear to my heart! I thank God often for bringing you all into my life! And I love you guys as family – you have been the “family” I never had! Blessings!!

  2. Meekly Seeking says:

    Wow, I’m very grateful to find the title of this article could be LIFE. Though I don’t always comment, I’m always blessed by your articles and I know those close around you are even more so. May God continue to bless your body AND your heart/spirit in your full recovery. May God portico the heart of the driver and may he/she grow from this experience.

  3. Betty Draper says:

    What a frightening thing to have happen. I pray for that person who hit you, if they were aware which it would be hard to believe, but if they do know, they would come forward. For you, I pray a quick healing, for Jo who takes care of you. I am sure this will not stop you from getting back on your bike and ride again. Will be praying.

    • cycleguy says:

      It was frightening Betty. When I stop to think what could have been, it gives me chills. thanks for the prayers.I, too, would like quick healing. And yes, I do plan on getting back on my bike as soon as I can.

  4. floyd says:

    I’m in shock!!! No way it wouldn’t have been worse without the divine intervention from our Father!

    This is so close to me. As you remember Diane got hit too, and yet miraculously, like you, walked away from it. That’s hard to imagine!

    Praying for you, Bill. The world can’t take you until God ordains it… you’re not nearly done with your race! Thanks to God!

    • cycleguy says:

      I remember that about Diane. I am blessed and so grateful for God’s divine hand of protection. I’m praying as you suggested: God’s not done with me yet!!

  5. What a frightful scare, Bill! So glad you weren’t hurt even worse than you were, and I’ll be praying for full recovery for you.

  6. Pam says:

    So sorry to hear this, Bill. Things like this happen but it is never easy to go through. Praying for you and for the one who did this.

  7. Ed says:

    Well that’s the first thing I am thankful for this early season: that you are alive! Praying that they took care of the hematoma and for your speedy recovery!

  8. Jeff says:

    I am not going to pray but I hope you have a speedy recovery. Sounds like you dodged a bullet. As a motorcycle rider I am always aware that I will lose no matter who is at fault. I agree you have a right to be there but I also understand the danger of going 25 on a 60 mph road. I also just have to say, to Floyd’s point, that God was a little late on the intervention. The Father was a little bit asleep at the switch if he was involved.

    • cycleguy says:

      Without a doubt i dodged a bullet Jeff. I realize motorcycle riders take the same type of chance a cyclist does. As to your comment on Floyd’s point: I disagree He was late. I don’t believe He ever is. God is not a magic genie who keeps all difficulties away from us. I look at what could have or might have been and find myself extremely grateful for God’s intervention.

      • Jeff says:

        Here is what I do not understand. God is not enough of a magic genie to prevent the accident.OK but you are glad that he is enough of a magic genie to prevent what could have been or might have been. If God intervened a little late he is still a Magic Genie. If I had a Magic Genie I would hope his intervention was a little more timely. Unfortunately I don’t have a Magic Genie.

        • cycleguy says:

          God isn’t going to prevent every bad thing from happening. Does He have the power to do that? Yes I believe He does. But life is life and stuff happens. It could have been a lot worse for me. I’m grateful it wasn’t. I see that as God’s intervention for me.

  9. Linda Stoll says:

    OH, NO! I am so sorry to hear this news, friend. May Jesus give you comfort and peace as your body mends. Please rest well …

    • cycleguy says:

      Thank you Linda. I’m at work today, bruised and sore but alive. God has given us an amazing “machine” in the human body and it is now up to it to heal (I’ll try to help it along some).

  10. cycleguy says:

    So glad to hear, brother, that it was not as bad as it could have been. Praying for a swift and complete recovery — both physically and mentally. Take care, Sally

  11. cycleguy says:

    i am glad to hear you just are suffering some aches and pains of the bruising. Like you said – you think about how bad it really could have been and praise God for his presence. People are so unaware of their surroundings anymore, in a hurry – cell phones that have to be in hands 24/7 and uncaring for others. Hope you find the person who did this – like you said – not for revenge – but to find out why.
    Take care – I am sure Jo is being the caring nursemate and you are listening.
    We will keep you in our prayers –

    Kim & Monte

    • cycleguy says:

      It is good to hear from you Kim! I say AMEN to you comment about God’s Presence. As for Jo’s caring nursemate: I’m a lousy patient.

  12. Becky Schrock says:

    Sometimes God lets things happen because there is a lesson in it for us, or someone else. Sometimes it is a chance to witness to someone.

    We are so relieved that you are okay! Many prayers went up for your health and well being! You are truly loved and appreciated by many. I can’t imagine the terror in Jo’s mind when you called her, and I hope she is okay, too.

  13. Zee Gimon says:

    Hey, brother! Yikes!!! I am glad that you’re okay. Thank God.

    I always wonder… those people who hit and run – can they run from themselves as well? I mean, if you know that you’ve injured a person (or an animal, for that matter), how can you continue your normal life without even knowing whether that person / animal you’ve hit lived or died?

    • cycleguy says:

      The “problem” with your thinking Zee is that the driver has a conscience. I could not in any way, shape, or form go on as though noting happened.

  14. Ceil says:

    Holy Cow Bill! What a horrible experience, and I’m so thankful that you weren’t hurt any worse than you were! I’m so glad you were rescued and got help. How are you doing today?
    It just astounds me that someone could inflict harm like that, and then just drive off. How do they know if you had a skull fracture, or broken leg? You needed help, and they could just keep on going? Unbelievable…
    You will be in my prayers, both for your healing, and in gratefulness that it wasn’t worse.
    God bless,
    Ceil

    • cycleguy says:

      I tell people I am bruised and sore but alive! And I am all three. It is incredulous, but you and I have sensibility. Thanks for your prayers.