By Paula Kavolius
Every year, the greatest day of my life is when HOPe participates in the Rodman Ride for Kids. This is a one day bicycle ride that raises over 8 million dollars for children’s charities in Massachusetts. It is spearheaded by Don Rodman, who is truly an amazing man. The living example that he has given his children and grandchildren is truly exceptional. Together, Don, Tracey & Amy lead one of the most successful fundraising events for at-risk children in the United States.
What impresses me most is how Don operates this graceful, extremely successful ride. He is a strong leader who is ever present in helping all his benefitting charities. He gives us rules to follow and goals to reach. He provides us with guidance and assistance whenever possible. Above all, he expects a lot from us and believes in us wholeheartedly.
I was thinking yesterday, I wonder if this is precisely how our Lord looks at each of us from heaven. He watches over us and will never leave us, no matter what. He gave us his 10 commandments to tell us how to live our lives. He believes in us and loves us no matter how many mistakes we make along the way. Above all, He expects a lot from us and believes in us wholeheartedly.
The bottom line isn’t dollars for any of us, rather how to best serve humanity and help the less fortunate.
This year, I couldn’t ride my bike because I had endured 2 knee surgeries in the past six months. Rather than sit and wait for HOPe’s riders to finish, I went to the information booth and asked if I could be of assistance anywhere. The woman said, “sure, would you like to ring a cowbell for riders”? I said “Sure. My grandfather owned a farm so I should be able to handle the cowbell”.
Over the past decade, I have spent almost every ounce of my time working to establish a respite home for children with significant challenges. Today, I was given the opportunity to look at an event through the eyes of a volunteer.
I boarded a bus with Tim, the volunteer driver, who took great pride as he shuttled volunteers and their cowbells off to their posts. As he discussed the importance of our job, “rooting for the riders”, it dawned on me how important that role is in all aspects of life. I thought about the many people who have rooted for me and our precious mission of HOPe. These people said a kind word or sent a beautiful note or volunteered to help in some way. They have no idea how much that buoyed me along the way.
There were 700 riders in this bicycling event riding for “at-risk” children and none of those children or families or children will ever know the price these riders paid for them. It reminded me of a quote by the famous coach, John Wooden,
“You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
As we rode in the bus, a woman asked, “Do any of the spots have bathrooms"?Tim replied, “One is near a Dunkin Donuts”. She then asked, “Can I have that spot because I am 6 months pregnant?” One funny person in the back of the van replied, “It’s all yours.” I giggled to myself and thought - perfect. She got the spot she is meant to have. The next few stops were for a single person, a group of two, etc. I was alone but in my heart I wanted a spot where I could see my husband, Mark, and the rest of Team HOPe.
As luck would have it, I got the last spot on the trip which was 8 miles from the end of the ride. I was able to ring the bell until the cows came home for HOPe’s heroes, Mark, Carol, Amy, Lori, and Jeanel. I could tell by their faces how much it meant to them that I was out there hooting and hollering and ringing my bell in their honor.
During my time as cowbell ringer, I thought about many things. I thought about the hundreds of children we have served in our first two years of operation. I thought about how few of them will every really know the price that was paid so that HOPe's children would have better lives.
I thought about the riders that came in all shapes and sizes. It was an interesting experience to watch 700 people ride by barely noticing you but having the opportunity to observe them. There were riders that smiled and those that never looked my way. There were riders that thanked me and others that ignored me. You can tell a lot about a person by how they accept random cowbelling. Ironically, the riders that appeared the most perfect, weren’t the ones that were genuinely enjoying the ride. I got the feeling that they were trying to beat their personal best time. The ones in groups exuded the most joy and camaraderie.
I thought of the Dr. Seuss quote, “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.”
As the race began to wind down, the van arrived to bring us home. Some of us had callouses from ringing the bell so hard for the riders. Others had their own story to tell. All in all, I learned a great deal while ringing the cowbell. I re-learned the importance of gratitude. I learned that life is enjoyed much more with others. I learned that perfection is not what we should be striving for. Caring for others and having them care for you is what truly matters. And above all, what we have done for humanity is the yardstick that all of us should use to measure our lives, not the "stuff" we have acquired.
Have you expressed gratitude to an unsuspecting person today?