And I'm Off..

And some of you might say, “Off?! More than a little...”

I’ll keep this short and sweet, as I could have a tendency to get all sappy—these events do that to me. If you want to experience them live this week, go to http://experience.aidslifecycle.org and follow us with live video, blogging, webcasts and pictures.

So, three points. Success. Abundance. Humble thanks.

Success! We have done an amazing, over-the-top showing of commitment to the AIDS/HIV community. Between my generous family, friends, and the folks at Amoeba, we have raised over 8,500 dollars for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV service of The LA Gay & Lesbian Center. Amoeba is still going to do a couple of events that will add to this—I’m sure we’ll break the 10,000 dollar goal I set out to break. Well done, people!

Abundance! In an environment that is increasingly becoming complacent in support of HIV/AIDS prevention & treatment, we’ve proven that we care, that we will share our good fortune, that we will grow our compassion to encompass all people. As a group, you helped me quadruple the fundraising commitment to participate in AIDS/LifeCycle 5, to become the first ever dual city fundraiser. To quote The Positive Pedalers’ jerseys, “We ALL have AIDS if one of us does.” Community—All Are One.

Humble thanks. I am so lucky. I was walking Fugee today and my heart was feeling heavy with gratitude and love and abundance. I felt very much like the Grinch “whose heart grew three sizes too big that day.” For years you have unquestioning supported me and the rides and runs & climbs I’ve done. I felt an embarrassment of riches from you, who repeatedly told me that I inspire you. It is mutual, indeed. I carry each of you with me on this my eighth AIDS bike ride. You are amazing for being a part of this monument of love. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

I’m thankful for your support and love. I’m thankful for the reconnection with people I hadn’t heard from in years. I’m thankful for my friends I haven’t had a chance to reconnect with yet, but will on the return from my ride. For the acts of kindess—Elise with my free bike tune up; Dr. Hasse, my dentist, concerned about my not being in and without insurance, offering to provide me a free exam, x-rays & cleaning; Roxie for creating a beautiful graphic for my jersey; for the folks at Amoeba for making time for me and sharing their hearts, for squeezing my campaign in to an already jam packed marketing schedule; for Patrick, for watching Fugee; for my brother and sister-in-law for raising such cool open minded kids that I was greeted by my niece’s 10 year-old friends as “Oh! You’re the cool uncle who’s riding a bike for AIDS!” No stigma, just enthusiasm. And knowledge and awareness.

I could go on forever, but I will leave you with this. I dedicate this ride to my friend Alex Brucker. I only knew her a short while, but she was a light in my life.

My friend Fred sent me a gift from iTunes, a song from Wicked, called For Good.

So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I’ve been changed for good.


For you, for Alex, for an end to AIDS, For Good.

Namaste, I honor the God in you.
Craig
SF Rider 2274; LA Rider 6684