July 5th, 2009

This morning I woke up in San Francisco and didn’t want to leave. I absolutely adore that city. Every inch was full of energy, and I couldn’t help but to smile and be cheerful. Yesterday was a rest day and I celebrated the 4th of July by biking downtown to China town. DJ, Julian and I devoured some Chinese food and enjoyed the city as tourist. Come night, we walked around a local park and watched as local citizens illegally set off fire works in the city. In that moment, I thought of the men and women who have sacrificed themselves to keep our country free. I’m proud to say that my grandpa, James David, served our country and at just twenty-five years old was drafted into the army and fought in the Vietnam War.

On America’s birthday I thought of my grandpa and his courage in serving our country. In Vietnam he was shot in the neck and survived. However, thirty years later grandpa was told that he had cancer as a result agent orange, the chemical that the USA used to clear vegetation in the war. In 1999 grandpa passed away. The day before he died, grandpa had all of the kids and grandkids come to his house and see him. Somehow he knew he was going. If I could go back to that day I would hug his neck and never let him go.

That night my mom, uncle, and siblings slept around grandpa’s bed. Mom woke up in the middle of the night and touched his hand, which had turned cold. After waking up, I remember looking at him and wishing he would wake up. To me he was so beautiful and looked as though he were sleeping. I’ll never forget standing in his room and holding his hand for that final goodbye. I will never forget losing him…

This morning I woke up in a magical city feeling alive.

This morning I woke up ready to celebrate the life of a man that meant the world to me. Today we did our ride dedication beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and I rededicated my summer to my grandpa who would have turned 67 today.

The day my grandpa died a bit of my heart went with him… the day he died a bit of his heart stayed with me. His memory gives me strength daily and when I ride my bike I envision him looking down on me with a huge grin on his face.

James Thomas David – FATHER, GRANDFATHER, SOLDIER, FARMER, FRIEND – will always remembered by those who loved him. He was the center of my family and no holiday goes by that we don’t think of him and wish he were with us.