The Hollis Benjamin Memorial Ride

Today -- the second anniversary of my father's death -- I rode in his memory. On an abnormally cool day for late-August, with temperatures in the mid 60s and moderate northwesterly breezes, I remembered my father's voice, his laugh, and the admiration and respect that he received from his fellow attorneys, clients, and friends. But most of all, I remembered the love and guidance he provided to me, and how my life would have been very different if I had been granted a lesser man for a father. Although cancer may have claimed his life in 2007, nothing could ever claim his eternal love and spirit.

My ride today was modest -- only about 18 miles -- but it reduced my magic number to 52 miles of the 1,000 mile mark for 2009. Weather permitting, I will reduce that magic number a little further when I ride again tomorrow -- on what will likely be another abnormally cool day that has come to typify this very strange summer of 2009.