a little liberty

We take alot for granted... a friend of mine is getting ready to lose his drivers license because of his health. That's happened to me. He's no longer strong enough to ride a bike, or walk very far, so once the license is gone... he's waiting on others for a ride... there's little joy in it. People pat you on the back, say they'll step up- and they mean it -you just feel like the world becomes so much larger and suddenly everyone seems so condescending, even when they don't mean to be.

Had a seizure a couple of years ago and thought they might pull my license- a good friend in Kenya is a driver for a living, drives for me while I'm in Kenya -thought I'd do all I could to earn the extra income to move he and his family to the states before I'd live at the disposal of everyone around me again... it'd be tough to earn that much money... but it'd be harder still to beg a ride to Mexico every Wednesday afternoon or a ride home from the church every Sunday night after Jackets for Jesus. I've built my life around good health and the liberty of a big car.

Getting my car washed this morning- it needs it! Half of Mexico still clings to it from last weeks rain storms. That's my bike on the rack on the back of the car. Take it with me to Siempre Para Los Ninos on Wednesdays and ride with the kids. Yesterday we rode for nearly an hour on mud rutted dirt roads, through the village, out to the bluff overlooking the ocean where we threw rocks and watched for passing whales. An incredible way to spend the afternoon... and it's my job... without my license it would become so much more difficult. My world would shrink.

It's happening to my friend. He's an outdoorsman, an adventurer. He's stood on hills overlooking Prague and dug human bone fragments, the final reminders of ancient battles from the dirt with his bare hands... Doctor's look at his medical charts and think: "Buddy, the least of your concerns is driving!"

I can't relate to his loss, but I know how I've felt... it's a fear that never leaves you. Driving, riding a bike on a sunny afternoon, getting around on your own... they all become liberties that taste just a little more sweet when one's lived without them.

Yesterday I lived out a little of my liberty: drove to Mexico with Debi and Julia, rode my bike with the kids of Siempre and Pastor Israel, and thought of my good friend Walter... he would have loved every moment of the wonderful day. If you've got the good health and ability to experience a little liberty and you're squandering it by sitting inside and reading this blog... shame on you... go out and enjoy it while you can!