Kidding aside, Fatty, you’re amazing…thinking of others when you’ve got so much going on yourself. Quite commendable. And talk about a perfect time of the year for this. The holidays can be such an odd/difficult season for so many that the thought of 1) being part of a neighborhood, and b) reaching out to help others, just brighened my day immeasurably. Sign me up!

1- The ‘homework’ you gave us a few weeks back really hit a note with me.

2- You remind me of all the people out there that don’t have support and need it. And more importantly, you provided an easy way to help out financially though the links on your site and your various ‘contests’.

3- You’re attitude really serves as a daily reminder. I don’t care if that sounds cliche.

4- You get excited about cycling. And that gets me excited about cycling, which usually translates into me riding to work 4 or 5 times a week.

So thank you.

I think I can relate in some small way to what you may be thinking. Though it was nothing compared to your circumstances, our experience put me back on my heels for a bit.

Our house was flooded about a year ago. Remember that flood last December that blocked I-5 up herer in Western Washington? The Chehalis River made a mess of the small town of Centralia and interrupted interstate commerce for a week or so. Well, we’re down river from Centralia so we go what they did and a little more.

Though I have plenty of bad memories imprinted in my brain (we were out if the house for 4 months in the rebuild) what outshines all that is the seeming endless collection of memories I have of people pitching in: Offering to help, offering us to stay in their homes, collecting money to help us, cooking meals, doing our laundry, paying our hotel bills (anonymously) and more, much more.

In my life I have honed the art of skepticism to a fine point, but this experience really caused me to reevaluate my assessment of people. I know we have the capacity to do unspeakable evil or perhaps just as bad: not to get involved, to look the other way and walk on by when there is someone in need. My little social experiment last December proved to me, beyond any doubt whatsoever that people are good, are stronger than any natural disaster, and will without provocation, threat, or possibility of reward rush to the aid of people in need. My inner Do Rickles has been cut down to size. He lurks there ever willing to pipe up with a hearty: ”See, I told you so!” but that is no longer my dominant chord. It’s there but I know from real life experience that people are good and they will help in times of need.

I’ve struggled with how to adequately pay back. ‘Thank you’ of course just seems soooo inadequate. I’ve hosted our helpers to summer BBQ’s and sent thank you cards but have come to the conclusion that the only meaningful way to pay my dept of gratitude is to look for opportunities to help others.

Of course it would be perfect to be able to come to the rescue of each and every one of those who lent us a hand, but absent that I now look for situations where I can help those in need regardless their relationship to me. Strangers are just as eligible for assistance as my friends and benefactors. Strangers helped me.

I’ve sent a few shekels your way, and I’ve also upped my contributions to the LAF just because I am sure there is plenty of need and they are doing a very good job of directing their resources as far as I can tell.

Not to get too political but the recent election of Mr. Obama has caused me to think that it would be a mistake for me to sit back and hope or expect that things will get better now. I believe that if we all respond to the call to service in whatever small way we can that the prospects for a stronger, healthier country are increased. Words are inspiring but actions are believable.

I don’t know what you have in mind but I’ll be watching for ways I can help.

YR Pal Dr Codfish

WIN SUSAN

Good luck. Oh, and loved the improvements to the hospital bed. Wish I had thought of the camelback drink bottle when we needed it. Brilliant.

If this is not your idea, oh well. Maybe I will organize it, as I’ve always wanted to do a century on my rollers. The T-shirts would be hilarious.