This past weekend involved a great deal of fun in the sun at the Pecan St. Festival. Fun involving handing out 1500 Texas 4000 fliers, going hoarse talking to people about Texas 4000 (and donating), seeing just exactly how much stuff my van can hold, and interesting and delicious food at Iron Cactus. Plus nothing beats a little team bonding and rolling around in cash at the end of the weekend. Props to all of the riders who came out to support and make this festival such a success!!

But even with all the hustling and bustling of the crowded, hot, and exciting event, one little girl touched my heart Sunday afternoon with her short brown hair, inquisitive big eyes and disarming smile. I met Taylor Mai when I was hollering at the crowd about riding to Alaska when a couple stopped with a little girl and exclaimed about our organization and our cause. They ended up buying one of our snazzy Texas 4000 tee shirts. Our smallest size however was an adult small and Taylor wanted to wear the tee shirt on the spot. When changing her, her mother showed me where a catheter was implanted in her tiny body and it was just heartbreaking to see such a tiny body that had to endure the pain of cancer and chemo. I doubt I could ever understand really what it must be like to be so young and have to weather so much at such a young age. I took a picture wtih her in her new Texas 4000 shirt and promised to add her name to my bike and who I was riding for this summer.

Of anything that happened this weekend, little Taylor Mai stands out admist everything else. She gave me a new reason to ride, a new reason to fight cancer.

Thank you Taylor.