I have been riding for Lois for 6 weeks now.

Why so long? I could say it is because I just have not had time to write a post. Or I could use the excuse that I had no one else to ride for. The real reason: I have had no idea what to write about Lois.

At first I was embarrassed because I realized that I could not remember riding for a black person. I write all the time about cancer not caring about wealth, gender, or race. Yet I never searched out race. Terrible!

And then I wondered if Lois is even black. I know her son is, but in this 6 weeks I have learned that this family takes in young people in need of stability and love. At first I heard about her grand kids, then it was a neighbor, and they are currently fostering someone who’s family moved out east without them. Every time I ask about her, I hear a story of love for someone who needs it. While I am 99% sure, I’m not 100% sure. Terrible!

And yet I still have this flag snapping behind me on every ride. 1,300 miles which took me 91 hours. That is how long Lois has been behind me. Knowing I was just digging myself a deeper and deeper hole I decided to just start writing. Hopefully what comes out is not offensive and is meaningful to someone. Hopeful!

Lois, I’m sure you know this, but your son Byron is fantastic. Not only has he taught my wife (Jeri)and I a lot about dancing, he has also messaged to see if we were ok when we were under the weather. And I have another story of your influence on us. Sometime late spring or early summer Jeri and I were just leaving the studio and two young kids walked by (your grandkids). The youngest of the two walked right up to Jeri and gave her legs a huge hug. It was not a mistake. He had no idea that Jeri needed a hug, just gave it to her. Probably the best “love” memory of 2021 for me. Fantastic!

I’ll actually miss Lois flying behind me when I go out tomorrow. 54 times I have kicked my leg over the bar, looked at that flag and wondered, “What the heck am I going to write?” Now it is done, but Lois’ cancer is not. I will continue to hope and pray, it will be gone soon so she can focus on more important things.