Taking a break for awhile...(warning: long and sad)

[SandyLS]

Emily,
I am so sorry for your loss. I just got back from visiting my Mom and Dad who are 86 and 87 years old and both suffering from different degrees of dementia. After reading your post last night I made sure to hug them extra tight before leaving them today. Take all the time you need to heal.

[Crankin]

Sorry about your Dad, Emily. May his memory be a blessing. I guess I wanted to say something about the cycling part of your post. I haven't read the items on the other lists about the cyclists who were killed, although I have read the things on this list. I don't like reading them, but I force myself to. I am not much of a risk taker and I am constantly thinking about safety when planning a ride. There are several intersections around here that I avoid because I don't want to deal with them. I do ride on main roads and country roads without shoulders, though, because if i didn't, I wouldn't be riding at all. And this brings me to my point; we can't live in constant fear of what could happen. Cycling seems to have been such an important part of your life, it might help you to deal with the grief. I think taking a break is good, if you can deal with the mental aspect of it. If the other physical activities do the same thing for you as cycling, then it's OK. Physical activity is such an important aspect in recovering from any emotional thing, so I say, do whatever is helping you to deal with the stress.

[snowtulip]

Emily, so sorry, take things at your own pace in all that you do. Grieving, cycling, etc. take the amount of time that your heart needs...but keep that spirit and life alive in whatever you choose to do.