I sat on the tailgate of the truck. Happy to see them, and so happy it was getting light out. I leaned forward and my head hung down in front of me like a buzzard’s head does. I held it with my hand and ate a bread and ham sandwich that I didn’t want. While I faced the ground, Ralph and John massaged my shoulders and back. I could feel each individual tendon in my left wrist like five tight electrified guitar strings.
“What’s the math, Trevor?” Still 40 hours to finish at this rate. I was in seventh place. Two Ironmen had dropped out, and two were behind me.
I earned what was coming next. 15 miles of pavement, and 70 miles of smooth graded dirt road. I made it here, and I was going to take this gift Baja was giving me. I was hoping next time I asked Trevor at mile 590, he’d say I had made up a lot of time and my projection was within the 36 hour time limit.
Where’s Tanner? He’s at mile 716. I thought, and told my friends what he was dealing with. He’s on pavement right now, and will be heading into the wash where he went over the handlebars last week in a few miles… I was overcome with emotion.
I looked like absolute hell. But I joked with my friends, and they knew I was ok. Ralph was wearing a filthy knit Basement Systems hat that he found under the seat of Franz’ truck. I laughed. I have fond memories of that 10-minute stop at mile 505. When I needed them most, my friends were there for me.
Friends are important in life. Friends that will be there for you when you are in distress. When I was a kid, I didn’t know about all the dramas and hardships life could bring. For example, nobody told me what to do when someone dies. For a while I’d just say “I’m sorry,” and be solemn. I didn’t go to many funerals. Nobody told me I was supposed to. Now that I am older, I have experienced more hardship and loss. It took a while – I lived a pretty disaster-free life in my twenties and thirties.
Now I know, that when people are suffering, you need to talk. Use your rapport skills, but talk. Say something, anything. People need people at low times. I’m not the most nurturing person in the world; it’s not my talent. But we need to stick together when times get tough. Communicate. A caring word, a hug, and hand to the shoulder, or holding hands. It makes all the difference.
I remounted and thanked them all. “I’ll race you to 590!” I yelled over my engine. They were doing a great job helping to hold me together. Now they had a five-hour drive to see me again. They discussed my plight a bit, and then the truck was mostly quiet for the journey, as they wondered if I’d get there safely – or at all…
Larry,
By doing this, A Super Man you are, And the team who was with you as well.
Have a Merry Christmas, you all have earned it.
David
Wow! I have a saying “Everydays a new adventure !” I guess I didn’t ask the right questions growing up or didn’t know to ask them. I had a old contractor friend that would always say ” listen to people talk, they will tell you who they are”.Thats soooooooo true, but I can add “watch their actions also,” this will show their values and character !
Stand for people. Make a difference for them, and they will be there to make a difference for you. Thanks for your wise words, Larry. Many of my customers that watch our videos on YouTube speak highly of the owner doing the videos and work out in the field. It gives them confidence in buying from us because they see that you are willing to get into a crawlspace or attic and are unafraid of the spaces that your workers will enter. You are a brave and committed person, and I admire that greatly.
Good morning Larry! This story has me on the edge of my seat every morning! Thanks for sharing and thanks for your inspiring words.
Thanks Larry Another great post United we stand I am so blessed to be surrounded by great people that I am truly grateful to have in my life Have a great day