She rides with some help from her friends

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.”

-- GEORGE M. ADAMS

“Cindy, I thought I saw someone who looked like you biking with a

group of women. Are you back on a bicycle again? How long has it

been, and what changed for you?” a friend asked recently.

I told her that it had been well over a year, other than a few

occasions. I also explained that it was a combination of time,

prayer, and encouragement that had put me back in the saddle again.

For years I’d enjoyed the camaraderie and scenery of bike rides and

trips with my husband Jon, family and friends. The reason I was off

my bike for so long was that I’d had two crashes just a week apart

from each other, and it took longer than I expected for me to heal

both physically and emotionally.

During that time off, I frequently met my fellow cyclists for

coffee or a meal either by walking or driving. My husband patiently

waited until the time was right for me to start back again.

I normally rode a road bike, which has thin tires. But when I

finally felt ready to ride, I wanted the security of wider tires that

are on mountain bikes. Jon had a bicycle ready for me in no time. I

started slowly with short rides and appreciated everybody’s

encouragement. They let me go at my own pace and offered to ride

with, in front of or behind me or provide any help I needed. We often

stopped to catch our breath and enjoy the view at the top of steep

hills.

Sometimes we commented on God’s creativity as we looked at the

diverse beauty in every direction, be it the sky, mountains, trees or

colorfully blooming flowers. At other times we talked about our need

for oxygen when we experienced shortness of breath because of

exertion or asthma. A common line among some of us is “Breathing is

good. Breathing is important.” We obviously had to breathe as we

biked, but my friends also breathed encouragement into me as I

returned to a road bike, rode more and completed a couples’ bike trip

around the picturesque Solvang area.

We knewthere would be hills on our route, but we hadn’t planned on

the headwinds and unusual heat. Besides splashing water on each

other, we splashed encouragement on one another as we pedaled through

quaint towns and passed farms, ranches and vineyards. I loved the

tall trees as well as seeing and hearing birds that are different

from those we have at home. Lush and beautiful scenery gave way to

stretches that were barren. But even those stretches weren’t so bad

when we focused on and shared with one another. It was great to get

to spend time with friends we’ve known a long time. And we got to

know new ones while enjoying a delicious picnic and delightful meals

together. We prayed for safety, laughed and rode together, and we

looked out for each other.

It was clearly a ride where my lungs needed oxygen, and my soul

needed and appreciated encouragement. Besides asking God for his

guidance each day, I’m going to try to ask him if is there is someone

who needs my encouragement.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.