77 Year Old Great Grandmother's Attempt at Riding Bike

When I was a kid I watched my mother do some pretty adventurous things like water skiing, turning and twisting and gliding from one side of the boat to the other. I saw her wipe out head over heels with the boat going full blast, then get back up on the skies and take off again. She loved swimming, and could do backstrokes almost across the lake. I've seen her take aim and shoot a rifle with accuracy that would make any marksman blush. I once saw her riding a horse across a field at full gallop, hell bent on going as fast as she could.
When mama was a teenager, she rode her bike everywhere. She met my Dad when she gave him a ride home as he sat on the handlebars. When I was six years old, I'll never forget seeing her answer the phone and fall on the floor, screaming in anguish when she was told that my father had died suddenly. She was 24 years old with three small children, one that was in the hospital diagnosed with polio. I vividly recall times when my siblings and I sat at the dinner table with full plates and mom's plate was empty because there wasn't enough food to go around.
She has persevered through tough times, outlived 3 husbands, and a son. During the past two years she has battled stomach cancer, breast cancer, a mastectomy, and endured the brutality of chemotherapy. It kicked her down hard, but she's been doggedly determined to get back up time and time again. Through all of this, when she recalls her life adventures, her eyes tell the stories much better than the actual words.
Today, at almost 77 years old, on 7/24/11, I had the honor of taking this grand lady on her first bike ride in many years and she approached it just as she taught me many years ago....with no fear, great enthusiasm and the youthful attitude of "how far and fast can we go?" I've no doubt that my hunger for adventure and passion for life was directly influenced by her. I've been fortunate in my life to have accomplished my childhood dreams and realize that I am very blessed. I've met Presidents and First Ladies, celebrities from every facet of the entertainment industry, and partnered with CEO's from many Fortune 500 companies. But THE most amazing person I've ever met in my life is my mama. I am proud that I've been able to share a lifetime with someone with such strong character, willingness to help others in need, and never failing to maintain the upfront attitude of "what you see is what you get!"

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• south pittsburg bicycles
• breast cancer survivor

[JJJ6035]

Good for her!