I got stopped behind a school bus today. Stopped, sucking diesel fumes when I want to accelerate for the 4% grade up ahead. Grumbling, right up till I saw a young boy get off the buss, with two leg braces, hobbling up the driveway to his home.

All the sudden I was quite humbled, and very thankful for my health.

Rode home a little slower, very reflective.

Perspective is an amazing thing isn't it .

Thanks for that story. Very instructive.

Thanks for sharing your experience. While not exactly the same, I've had similar experiences when I've been pissed off and feeling sorry for my situation and then I see someone else, not necessarily handicapped, but maybe vastly overweight or struggling with some other disability . . .

And I think, "Hold on how . . . maybe I don't have it so bad after all."

True, as 1Coopgt pointed out; it's a matter of perspective!

Rick / OCRR

Good insight, thanks for the reality check. Ride safe.

Life has a way of slapping your face when you most deserve it.

A couple of days ago, I had a school bus that passed me going up a 6% hill, and stopped less than 1 bus length ahead of me, flashing lights and all, "do not pass" just to let a kid hop out and get into the parent's motorized golf cart to take her 1/4 mile down a dead-end country road with no traffic.

But, your story is a good reminder that life isn't the same for everyone.

I have just read something almost the same in a book about the triple crown winner American Pharoh, (I like horses). His jockey, during a difficult period in his own life, happened to visit the oncology section of a children's hospital where the children were in various stages of their treatment. Some with no hair, others at difficult stages of chemo, and of course, not all would live but all were dealing well with their situation and were even happy. He was moved to tears and began donating a portion of his earnings to the hospital.

Often we are so involved in our own lives and the narrow focus that involvement produces,we fail to see how fortunate we have been.

There is that, "I complained because I had no Shoes, then I met someone who had no feet " situation in life.

Yep, God has a funny way of putting us in our place sometimes. Just today, I was sitting in an Arby's, grumping to myself (in my head, not aloud) about it raining. A guy with learning disabilities came in, and started complaining to me, about the rain. I had a weird moment, in my head again, because even though I agreed, I also felt obligated to try to cheer him up, even if just a little. So after a bit of thought, I just said the grass & flowers like it, and that put a smile on his face. 🙂 I'm not looking for a pat on the back, lol, just saying, perspective is everything, sometimes.

Over the last few years, my immediate family has been experiencing more than our fair share of ongoing challenges. At first I was more impatient and angry with others, but now I am more patient, more understanding, and if I see a situation where I can help ease some one else's burden, or brighten their day, I do it. As far as how it relates to cycling, I yield more, stop to help fix more flats and chains, true a few wheels and adjust brakes, and sometimes simply ring my bell, smile and wave to acknowledge other riders, especially young kids with their parents.

I am a realist, however, and I will check my surroundings and decide if I am putting myelf at risk.

But, this is the 50+ forum, and I assume that by this age most people have been knocked down a peg or two by misfortune, or at least learned some empathy some how.

Sometimes we all need an event to press the "reset" button on life. Your story/observation is one of those times.

Your story reminds me of Georgena Terry, the founder of Terry Bicycles. She has never made a big deal about it, but she had polio and wore a leg brace while growing up.

Thank you for your post, BobbyG. I routinely ask, "Do you have everything you need?" when I pass a cyclist making a roadside repair, and I am pleased to report that I have seen other local cyclists doing the same. This admittedly comes easily for me, because, being blessedly devoid of athletic prowess, I have never viewed myself as a competitive cyclist.

Well.., the first step in tightening air (and water) pollution laws is for citizens like you to get angry. Your desire for clean air can help promote better living conditions for all. The guy getting off the bus probably hates exhaust emissions as much as you do.

there but for the grace of God (go I)

I think it's human nature to take things for granted. sometimes we just need to be grateful.

to paraphrase the leader of a great fraternal organization "i would be completely satisfied if we just had a little more than we got now".

That's some strong truth right there.

I treat almost all traffic laws as "conditional" when I'm on the bike...except for the Stop For School Buses With Flashing Red Lights law. That one is inviolate in my book.