Took the bike from my pad on the UWS to my gym on 27th street twice over the weekend.
The first time I did it, it was harrowing. Then on the way back, it was a little less so. And even less the next day.
There’s this saying that I’m sure I’m going to mangle but it goes something like this: There is no situation that you cannot bear if you see those around you bearing it.
When you read things that people have done – trench warfare, the D-day invasion, Thermopoylae – it does seem to explain a lot.
After a couplea large buses whizzed past me, was thinking: What the hell am I doing? Until this little old lady puttered past me.
Laughed at myself as she went by.
Course, there’re times when there’s no laughter and all the bravery you can muster isn’t enough cause it’s something that truly puts you on your knees.
A buddy has a sick family member who’s not going to get better. These are hard words to hear and, obviously, much harder to say.
And there’s never really much to say to someone that tells you such things, just a lotta goddamn nodding. Wish I could offer him more than my condolences and a pat on the back.
In my head, though, I know he’s tough. I know that he’ll overcome the blow even if he doesn’t know it himself. And I wish them all peace.
Later that weekend, I sit in the back of my church and think about all those how and whys.
And then I come home and make some calls for no particular reason.
Him: Hey! How are you?
Me: I’m good, dad. Just thought I’d call. Oh, I bought a bike…
Location: a magical place called Staten Island
Mood: busy
Music: got to push on through but while I’m gone
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