My cycling jersey, if not my bike, made a trip to Paris

[Possegal]

My sisters and I went to Paris for a week. Two falls ago we talked about this trip, that the three of us would go in the fall of 2007. Of course our plan was we'd all three lose weight and then we'd go for a big shopping spree. Then in the spring of 2007, my sister was diagnosed with cancer, and I wept at the fact that our trip would never happen. That first day when we learned she had cancer, my dear friend who is an oncologist said to me as I cried, go to Paris, make it happen. So in that timeframe my sister underwent concurrent chemo/radiation, with a great response. We tried surgery to remove the tumor but that wasn't successful. She started second-line treatment, and another form of radiation. Each scan has been better than the last, but the cancer is still there. In that time, my family and I designed our cycling team jerseys to ride in her name, and we've raised over $15,000 for the LAF.

And last week, I listened to my friend and we made it happen. My other sister and I would have loved to ride while over there, but the other sister couldn't have done that, and that was OK, because it was about being there together. I had one request for a photo of the two of them, and here is the result. (hope this works, first time posting photos off of my new computer, that I'm still figuring out how to use )

[Biciclista]

ah, very cool. What a great idea, i'm glad you went through with it. Cycling isn't everything you know.

[shootingstar]

So happy for you to have done this trip with your sisters.... I have 4 younger sisters and 1 brother. Some of them do cycle but none cycle as much as I do.

So it's always a good memorable feeling to share a special trip like this together. The joy which you all shared will be a special crystal time to remember and revisit for as long as each of you live.

I know this....because one of my brothers-in-law died from throat cancer at age 40. He did have a smoking habit.

About 6 years prior to that diagnosis he plus his brother (my sister's hubby), sis, some other friends and my partner all went on a self-designed cycling trip for a few days. We did 300+ kms.

In his illness he would remember that bike trip..and there were photos of him in that bike trip in celebration of his life later.

My heart absolutely goes out to you on the meaning of this trip.

[Tuckervill]

I'm so glad you got to do that! It's a heartwarming story, and the picture says it all!

Karen

[bmccasland]

Glad to hear you went. Paris in the fall is almost as good as Paris in the spring time.

There's a terrific pastry shop near the Tour d'Effil too.

[spindizzy]

Yes! Living in the moment..making memories..your priorities are in the right place.

[tulip]

That's a great story. I'm so glad that you made it happen! Paris in the fall is beautiful, but you do have to watch out for those chestnuts that bloomed in April--they fall on your head in October! Paris anytime is okay in my book. I miss it.

I'm learning that it's up to me to make things happen in my life. It'll be an experience that I'm sure you and your sisters will cherish.