Oh What a Day

by Heather Carter, Oliver

Recap of day three – what a day! We started a warm up of a 15 km warm up and delicious breakfast at Omega! Thank you for your heartwarming start to the day as we prepare for our climb up the Paulson. I was asked to write today’s blog. Looking ahead with the orange, smoke covered sun, cooler day and enjoying the company with my new biker friends, I found myself in deep thought.

My parents joined me yesterday to watch this group and see for themselves what this was about. Yes an epic bike ride covering a thousand kilometers through the Kootenays and raising money for families who have children with expensive health needs. However, remembering  how my parents did their best to cope with my brothers health issues, expenses, medication side effects and dealing their older son struggle with asthma attacks. It was normal to see Mom sleep deprived and Dad work extra hours to survive. I was very close and protective of my older brother but didn’t know how fragile he was, pale faced, blue lips. It was normal for weekly visits at the hospital so he could breathe pure oxygen. But one night, that all changed, the family changed. I became the oldest and took on a new role in the family. A year later my sister joined our family and the healing started, new light of hope.

Now climbing the Paulson. I trained for this! A year ago I was trying to figure out a way to visit my sister in Portland and ride my bike home for the journey. With one suggestion from my Deputy Warden at BC Corrections, I find myself here with a group of awesome people and who have big hearts! Now this road is getting steep -just keep pedalling. Lunch at the top I’m told. My mind goes back to my sister. How my parents hearts must have dropped when she was rushed to Calgary children’s hospital at the age of 12. Childhood diabetes. Her future just took a different direction! My parents just took it in stride, at least that’s what it looked like in my eyes.

No one ever plans for health issues to be so expensive when they have children, most parents are just trying their best to provide while living pay cheque to pay cheque. No matter what, life keeps moving forward. I learned long ago that as long as I can breathe, I can do anything. Maybe a simple motto but it comes from the heart. This is why I ride and do what I can to help others.

We get to the top and there’s Ron’s wife and daughter who took time out of their day to bring us chilli, buns and baking! Ron is a fellow rider and so proud to introduce us to his beautiful family. We had fun on the decent into Castlegar where we met six families who shared their stories while the sun shone on them. I could have stayed there all day. However we had a dinner being prepared for us at the Collander. Take it all in at that time as you never know what is next.