Hello Again

It dawned on me the other day that some time had passed since my last post. I had to think about why so much time had elapsed and simply chalked it up to other things taking precedence.

 Like most things in life, we need inspiration to produce creativity,

 and sometimes our inspiration comes from other sources.

Having said that, I was inspired today to bring my readers up to date on the progress of these two great words, Hope and Gratitude (which as you can see I choose to capitalize).

I thought it would be fun to do a small pictorial of the things that have offered me hope and gratitude in the past year, a snapshot of how the past months have filled my days.

My readers have always enjoyed and let me know how much they appreciate the photos that accompany the text of my blogs. Perhaps the visuals give more context, 

and for whatever reason, it works.

So, hello again, it's nice to be back....

Gratitude for sharing my rides with Timmy and giving my son Chris

 the gift of a bike for his 18th birthday...

Gratitude for being fortunate enough to ride my bike

 to work, and for the view along the way..

This was featured on the back of my 2013 Ride to Conquer cancer

team jersey. There are over 100 names of people touched 

in some way by cancer in this image.

Hope for a cure...

Gratitude for my team of fundraisers,

Team Hope and Gratitude

Hope for the future and it's endless possibilities...

Gratitude for being involved with a wonderful cause.

Team Ian Ride 2013 in memory of Ian Van Toch

raising money for cutting-edge cancer research

Reflections from one of my rides..

Gratitude for a business that people appreciate..

A collection of my fundraising jerseys that for me represents hope...

...and let us not forget the bracelet..

It has taken on a life of its own. Many who wear the bracelet

now document its whereabouts. This was taken in one of my favourite

places in the world, Lake George, NY at the top of Prospect Mountain.

Gratitude to be able to share a special moment with a friend and

fellow cancer survivor, one who defied many odds to get

to his special day..

Proud and grateful to see my son Chris achieve his goal of going to the 

Junior pan-Am games

My amazing team... an incredible group of committed individuals,

of whom I can also call friends

and one of my many valued donors all of whom deserve

my heartfelt thanks..

Gratitude for family...

Friendships...

Happy moments..

and not so happy moments..

Meaningful causes..

Memories of a great dad..and hero..

33 years since his passing..

Some people say I look like him.. I like that compliment

Hope and Gratitude...

See you soon...