It's All a Gift

So, oddly enough, my Dad died in a cycling accident two weeks ago yesterday. Two cities, three services and lots of hugs later and it's finally quiet enough to consider.

My Dad got a really cool tricycle for his birthday, just two months back. It was red and the kids gave him a sticker to put on it. As for me, I gave him a Paceline Bicycles cycling cap.

On he bike, he rode around his complex and made his rounds - visiting pals at the tennis courts, checking in on friends and just having a good time. Word is that he loved riding around.

On the 22nd, he had meandered around, singing loudly as he was pedaling and got his wheel caught in a V-shaped wedge where he sidewalk downward started to rise. He fell backward. Many friends came to his aid immediately.

At the hospital, he sang, prayed and held his wife's hand. He got worse, coded and died. A good, clean death, if such a thing exists. He went quickly and without much pain. I feel sure he'd have picked 'Freak Tricycle Accident' if such an option was presented to him as a way to go.

My Dad was an accomplished tennis player, a state champion football player, a coach and player of many sports. He died a cyclist.