[WARNING: This blog may contain references to soccer, Springsteen, espresso, and other subjects qualified on my site!]
https://strava.app.link/VsaF7MYrOKb
Glorious weather made for a super relaxed ride in central PA. Heading from Hazelton to Lewisburg was like a fun stroll, passing through quaint towns and crossing over the mighty Susquehanna river, the namesake for my Alma mater and where my bro Chris and I played college soccer together. It’s very noteworthy that CRI’s CEO Scott Wilderman and board member Mike Finn are fellow alum and my Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brothers. It was all a great coincidence because a parishioner friend Jim Lisher served as CRI’s Chairman and thought the mission would speak to me. Jim was right! You all are supporting a special effort in bringing dignity to people that are easy to overlook.
On my trek, I caught incredible PA vistas, found a Civil War monument in Catawissa dedicated to lost lives, a nice reminder given we just celebrated Juneteenth, and got “chased” by my first dogs, a killer named Reuger and dog named Zeena, who pals around with Bigfoot! However, it’s often the interaction with people that make these journeys special. To start my day, I ventured into Trackside Coffee, located in an area of Hazelton that some may consider the “other side of the tracks”. The owner pictured in the middle of three women with me is a local saint. She opened the coffee shop with a small collection of photography to brighten it up, right next to her budget laundromat. The neighborhood reflects a very diverse group of people, most living on little means. When she found out my story, she said “you’re like Forrest Gump!”, and preceded to give me my double espresso for free. The customer to her right shared with me that she’s on dialysis and dealing with other trauma in her life, yet she was trying to do her best to manage. So often the people in need, especially the unhoused, just want someone with which to talk. The owner and her colleague treated this woman like family and were helping her lift herself up. Guessing the owner gives free coffee out quite a bit, because that’s just her kind soul at work. Trackside Coffee reminded me of the beautiful lyrics and train references from ‘Land of Hope and Dreams’. The Boss feeds my soul, more to come on that!
Lastly, I’m no Forrest Gump, but could have a little fun as “Thorrest”…so send energy and prayers for me once in awhile…and think to yourself “RIDE, THORREST, RIDE!!”
