Taylor and his tour…

The Tour de France began today and eighteen riders celebrated this morning by going on a bit of a tour of our own. We left downtown Powell and pedaled 62 miles around the surrounding counties. It was a beautiful way to invest three early morning hours on a Saturday. My legs didn’t feel so great, however. My heart was a bit heavy…

Taylor, our son, began his tour de Saranac today as well. He left late last night with three other riders and drove through the night to Lake Saranac, NY. He won’t be pedaling around the finger lakes, however. He will be working and serving other high school campers for the next four weeks. Taylor’s tour will not test his legs or his lungs. Taylor’s tour will test his heart.

Taylor’s tour won’t be televised and mostly no one will so much as notice. The end of his tour will not be marked by a trophy presentation. He’ll receive zero compensation for his work. His reward will be watching other high schoolers have “the best week of their life.” His reward will be within.

Taylor will return from this tour with the same lung capacity and not much difference in his leg strength. His heart, however, will never be the same. His heart will be larger and softer at the same time. I am most happy for him. I am already missing him. I am already anticipating his return. Taylor’s tour inspires me to remember to push my heart as much as I push my legs and my lungs.

God, help me be good and do good. God, help me. And, thank you for Taylor and his tour…