Essence

It's been awhile...oh, I've been on my bike often since the first showering of spring arrived back in March, even a bit before back in February as winter wrestled its seasonal spring sibling for climate real estate.  But the rides occurring then are definitely not the riding of present-day ventures--these days, my velo sessions take place at night in the quiet confines of my garage, bike mounted firmly in the Cyclops trainer and the latest training video from Sufferfest (www.sufferfest.com) or a selection from my own personal training slideshow running on the laptop, a small oscillating fan drifting side-to-side as if shaking its head warning me "This isn't going to be easy"--focused training never is.  It's been awhile...

It's also been awhile since I've spent time with my father-in-law, up  from Texas for a visit and joining in the family festivities of celebrating my youngest daughter's collegiate graduation.

  An admirable man of faith & compassion, "Pops" (as my father-in-law is known) personifies the essence of joy as he interacts with all of us, being playfully ornery at various moments throughout the day, enjoying any board or card game placed before him with the fervor of a child a Christmas or taking in masterful soundtracks on the stereo like a dry sponge immersed in a wash-basin.  Pops is also the essence of thoughtful ponderings, often offering inquiries without any intention of getting an answer ("I wonder if Abraham Lincoln had a photographic memory?"), his very questions tilling my own cerebral soil inviting ponderings of my own ("I wonder if Pops does this on purpose?" :-) )  An ever-infectious smile and deeply abiding faith reflect his essence as a cherished father, mentor, and friend.  It's been awhile...

As I consider the notion and significance of the term "essence", I'm reminded exposure to that which transforms body, mind, heart, and soul mandates the disciplined art of presence--to be a better time-trial cyclist I need to be present & focused on training; to become an admirable and humble man of faith & devotion, I need to spend time with men like Pops...

"Essence", then, requires exposure & presence... Thanks for the visit, Pops--may it not be so long 'til the next one :-)