"The Hand" by Nicki Horton

Life starts with a baby and ends with a tear
It goes by so fast that you’re overcome with fear

You’re happy you’re sad
You’re mad you’re glad
You think life couldn’t get this bad

Then a hand is set upon your shoulder
Knocking your fears away like a giant boulder

A river washes all your troubles away
Sending them out your opposite way

This hand watches over you
It sees everything you do

This hand may take the ones you love
And store them up way above

It may have been your friend, child, or wife
But trust me their leading a way better life

This hand brought them to where they should be
Which is watching over you and me

Now are you getting what I'm trying to say?
So pay attention each and every day

You know who the hand belongs to
The one who created me and you

-Nicki Horton (my niece, age 12)

Isolation

It's 1:30 in the morning following a Friday night. Gia is in isolation for Radioactive treatment and I'm at her sister's; not far from home. Who is the one isolated? She's told to keep a distance from others, especially pregnant women and children. One may have brief contact, just not prolonged or too close, but Gia refuses to allow me or others to take any chances. She's been sick all day. Tomorrow should be better and by Sunday we hope she's well and able to eat normal foods again. It's been weeks of cooking at home, no salts, no dairy and more dishes than we care to remember in our small kitchen without a dishwasher.

Now that the landlord has called a halt to construction that went on right next door and delayed the water being shutoff until Monday, we're hoping Gia will get some rest and peace. Their tarp still remains in the hallway, a stark reminder that they aren't finished yet. The Netflix movies keep coming, but Gia's not up for them. My choices of the "7 Up" documentary series and "Angels in America" aren't appealing, but neither is her main stays of Oprah or Dr. Phil, nor the new Ray Lomantagne or Christina Aguliera CD's. Nothing seems to satisfy when you're sick. But like her surgery in April, this too shall pass. I am reminded of last summer when my ankle was the size of a softball, but that's wasn't nearly as bad as repeated hospital visits.

Following in the footsteps of Mom's death life has continued to challenge this year. But the glass is half full, the weather is beautiful and tomorrow I'll have lunch with my favorite nephew (no offense to Brian, Brendon, Trenton, Johan, Quinlan and Carson). And soon my baby and I will be together again, and the tears and isolation will cease.

Don Kimball dies

Why am I sharing this news on my blog?

At one time Fr. Don was someone I looked up to very much. A charismatic priest with an uncanny ability to remember virtually everyone's name and inspire the youth of the Catholic church like no other I knew. A DJ and radio personality he used modern music, interesting stories and motivating lectures on a circuit that included the entire nation. I first met Fr. Don when I was only 11 or 12 as he came to Monterey Diocese alot in the 70's. Later in the mid-80's I happened to attend Sonoma State and his Cornerstone Media was a long bike ride away in Santa Rosa, so I became part of the core team while a Jr. in college. The next year, my last, I worked for the company (@ $5 an hour) on brochures and was the designated computer person. Don affectionately named the computer hard drive, "Rick." Soon I was doing radio spots and they were being distributed nationally. I was the first team member to voice for his "One on One" radio show. My topic was on teen suicide, using modern music. I worked under Anna Scally and met many new friends who were either in High School or College. Don was travelling alot and was hard to pin down. My admiration waned over the years, and we had one significant run-in before I graduated and left the area. I had previously imagined travelling the circuit as a junior Don Kimball, but that wasn't in the cards. Thank God.

Many years later it was revealed that Don was stripped of his collar and accused of molesting many young people. I am not one to pass judgement but I have to believe this is no misunderstanding. A flawed man, Kimball had many qualities we looked up to. But apparently, with his volital personality and a pension for drinking wine, he had a very dark side. It came to haunt him so many years later and he was convicted of sex abuse, and soon went on Connie Chung's show to profess his innocence. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned his case due to a statute of limitations law, and he did only 10 months for striking a photographer. A link to the whole story is below.

I have no tolerence for sexual predators. I believe that you can not trust everyone. Priests included. However, it is my belief that many priests are among the most understanding and giving people I've known. And yet I would never condone anything Don did, I am sorry for what become of him. How sad, and yet what a relief.

Ex-priest Kimball, convicted in sex abuse, found dead
Body of former Sonoma County youth minister found in Windsor town house
9/16/06
By MARY CALLAHANAND GUY KOVNERTHE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Donald W. Kimball, the charismatic Catholic youth minister convicted of molesting a 13-year-old girl, was found dead at a Windsor town house early Friday, police said.
See story below

Ride #1: Mill Valley Coffee Run/BBQ

Sue, Russ, Jeanne, Lilia, David, Mark, Kate, Kurt, Kim, Courtney, Julie, Rowdy, Emily, Hillary and Susan. Just a handful of ol' friends I got to see on the BBQ/Thank You ride this Saturday. Seeing all those familiar faces, whom I missed since last June, was such a comforting way to "start" the season. Officially we'll kick off the season in mid-October, and I may not ride too regularly until November, truth be told. After 2 years of training for 6-9 months each year I've determined that 6 is about enough for me. I recommend more for newbies, and especially those who don't ride a bike to commute or are just beginning to ride period. Two such young women I came to know yesterday when Russ introduced me joking, "Rick, you like pretty women - why don't you meet these two young ladies." Turns out Britney and Ilene were in fact as new as can be. Neither of them really having ridden a bike much, they were embarking on the beginning of what is sure to be an incredible journey. One that takes courage, strength, perserverance, fundraising, money and the ability to down right enjoy yourself. Britney is the more outgoing of the two, and was riding a gorgeous new road bike that she had purchased awhile back but hadn't ridden much. Ilene was on a slightly old school road bike that I believe she enherited from a friend. Her bike failed her toward the end of the 20 mile journey, when her peddle came off. Fortunately I was able to adise a visit to Mike's Bikes, as it happened right in front of there. Her part was rare and not available in the store but after some debate the mechanic rigged a shorter crank. We soon nicknamed her "I-Lean" and we were on our way over the Golden Gate Bridge once again, just in time for the BBQ and meeting up with old (and new) friends with hotdog, hamburgers and a raffle to boot.

AIDS/LifeCycle 6 Kicks Off!

The AIDS/LifeCycle 6 (June 3-9, 2007) training season kicks off in earnest this Saturday with a ride and BBQ. We are going to do what we do best: ride and eat, not necessarily in that order. You'll note this photo, which was taken of one of our support vehicles during last years ride - says it all. Well, nearly all. We raised a little sum of $8,000,000 as well. It seems like yesterday we were riding to LA for ALC5.

Soon I'll have an ALC homepage and be asking for support/donations again. But in the meantime, if you are interested in riding, being a roady or finding out more, go to the AIDS/LifeCycle link I have provided to the right of this post. And I'll eat an extra burger for you after my first ride of the season to Mill Valley. Here's hoping for good weather. Peace, Rick

P.S. The first person to answer and put it in the comments below to this question wins an ALC bracelet: What is the significant change for the upcoming ride, as opposed to past years? Hint: you'll need to look at the photo above and the ALC link.

Add Your Own Comments

Did you know that you can add your own comments on any of my posts. In fact, I don't even think of this as my own Blog Spot (although it is). I created it to include your words, photos and comments. At the end of each post, click on "comments" and say something clever.

Also, when viewing my tag at the end of an email note whether it says, "LAST UPDATED TODAY!" or not. This will save you a trip.

One last piece of advice: I heard from one viewer who claimed I hadn't updated my blog in awhile. Upon further inspection I found out Gia was being taken to an old version because her browser wasn't uploading the current page. You can always hit "Reload Current Page" if you're not sure.

Happy commenting,
Rick

Amari is 1/2 year old!

One of my best friends is my own nephew, Alton. Most of the family still call him Altie. I call him "D." Don't ask why, but I think it's derived from the nickname Altie D. At only 5 years younger than me (yes, I was an Uncle at 5) we are more peers than not. Through all our lives we've lived about 100 miles or more from each other, except for a time when he was in "The Bay" as he likes to call it. Through all our years of growing up, trips to tahoe, the great bike tour (with his Dad David in 1984), good and not-as-memorable relationships, young adulthood and now - we've remained close. Now that Altie has a son, Amari, it is a great pleasure to see him so happy to be a father and for me to share in that joy. I can hardly believe I'm a Great Uncle for the second time. My other nephew Brian has a girl, Jade, and they live in Lanai, Hawaii. Altie told me today, "I think it would do me some good to get away and talk to one of my best friends in the world." Here's to more good times and to Amari on the occassion of his 1/2 year Birthday...which is today. These pictures were taken a few weeks ago by Peggy in her backyard: