[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Thank you for this story. The bike community is great like this. How wonderful that you can capture it in a story. Not sure where you are but if you come to Charlotte, NC I'll host you for a Cycling Savvy course. I'm an instructor. Charlotte is a great city to ride in. You are a bike leader and you could spread best practices wherever you ride. Make sure to put a cyclometer on the bike. Ethan will be surprised how far he can ride. I'm over 41,000 cumulatively and am not an athletic person. I love to ride my Betty. Ethan and I are about the same size. I ride a 47 Betty. I'm barely over 5 ft. I ride everywhere I need to go and the Betty handles everything. We all have bike stuff and parts. I love to support Riv. I buy my favs to give away. My favs are the John's Irish straps, the possum neck gaiter. I had an anorak but lost it somewhere. Must have bounced out somewhere. But then got the Riv bags which are easier and faster to close so I won't lose stuff anymore. Just get in a hurry to ride sometimes. Thanks for sending me a fb friend request. I accepted b/c of the bike w/the lights pic. Look up my other fb pages for my rides PMTNR and Sunday Slow Riders. On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:59:54 AM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we
Re: [RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
That dog is one cool cat -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
I’m in stitches over here! That WOULD be a remarkable cat, but alas, it’s a dog! Sent from my iPhone > On Oct 21, 2018, at 8:53 PM, in Dallas nick wrote: > > It turned out super nice. > > So cool. > > That's one remarkable cat to ride happily in basket like that. > > Paul in Dallas > > Get Outlook for Android > > > > > On Thu, Oct 18, 2018 at 8:57 AM -0500, "in Dallas nick" > wrote: > >> Wow! >> >> Just saw this thread. >> >> Wonderful and inspiring! >> >> May a ripple effect continue to spread from this and positively impact >> others. >> >> I relate to what Christopher experienced >> while bike touring. >> >> The kindness of strangers on my 3 bike tours >> years ago astounded me repeatedly and I reflect on that and continue to be >> inspired by those acts of kindness and generosity to this day. >> >> Thanks for sharing Leah. >> Blessings to you and your family and the caring and generous benefactor. >> >> Paul in Dallas. >> >> Get Outlook for Android >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google > Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this topic, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/topic/rbw-owners-bunch/qrKUcYAQetM/unsubscribe. > To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
It turned out super nice. So cool. That's one remarkable cat to ride happily in basket like that. Paul in Dallas Get Outlook for Android On Thu, Oct 18, 2018 at 8:57 AM -0500, "in Dallas nick" wrote: Wow! Just saw this thread. Wonderful and inspiring! May a ripple effect continue to spread from this and positively impact others. I relate to what Christopher experienced while bike touring. The kindness of strangers on my 3 bike tours years ago astounded me repeatedly and I reflect on that and continue to be inspired by those acts of kindness and generosity to this day. Thanks for sharing Leah. Blessings to you and your family and the caring and generous benefactor. Paul in Dallas. Get Outlook for Android -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Thank you for this uplifting story. I always enjoy stories like this. They inspire me to be better than I am. The funny thing about this story is that when I read it, I thought to myself...I know people who would do something like this! So, when I remembered the high quality of my friends, I was doubly blessed by your account. Chris Johnson Sanger, Texas -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
To use a well-worn comment from reddit, Ïs someone slicing onions in here? Great story, best of luck with future challenges. Blessings on the Benefactor. On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:59:54 AM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I > don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel > this. I will tell this story,
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
What a lovely story and so touching. Generosity and kindness can transform even those who witness it! A wonderful reminder for all of us and particularly exciting for a certain 12 year old boy. Lynne Davis CA On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 7:59:54 AM UTC-7, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I > don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Just saw this string, Leah, and it made my day. Thanks for sharing your story. I always love your posts, and this was no exception. Dave Boston/Indy -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Leah: That's a truly inspiring story, so glad to hear of it. We all need to look for opportunities, however humble, to be a Benefactor. Now, get a bigger lock for that new bike. dougP On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 7:59:54 AM UTC-7, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I > don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Leah, Your words are always a gift to this group. Thanks for revealing another layer of your personal life, the inner thoughts of your beautiful mind, and the reflections about pride many of us struggle with also occasionally. Ethan’s excitement takes many of back to previous joys about bikes and riding. #Justride. Hearing how long (duration) Ethan rode his Specialized; and frequency(almost daily) biking to school as a family, I feel the “benefactor” selected a worthy young boy. Thanks for sharing as always Leah. Your storytelling ability is on par with anyone’s. Sincerely, Ryan Hankinson West Michigan -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
In a world that is so hostile sometimes, it warms the soul of such generosity, and of Ethan's excitement! Roberta On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:59:54 AM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I > don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel > this. I will tell this story, keep his secret, and he will read about
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
This is wonderful! Thank you for sharing this. On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:59:54 AM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I > don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel > this. I will tell this story, keep his secret, and he will read about it. > There will be photos of Peterson boys in coming years on a
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Thanks for posting this amazing story. When I first became interested in Rivendell bicycles, I was given a very generous offer that I'm certain would have been felt by the benefactor. The offer was made in a way that would have brought me far more benefit than just the money that was involved. For several reasons, I did not take advantage of the offer and I'm very thankful it worked out that way. The incredible generosity of the benefactor left an impression on me and I've since looked for opportunities to be a benefactor to others in need. On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 9:59:54 AM UTC-5, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Thank you for warming my heart. On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:59:54 AM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I > don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel > this. I will tell this story, keep his secret, and he will read about it. > There will be photos of Peterson boys in coming years on a silver, >
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Wow...just Wow! What a story, and beautifully written. Something for all of us to learn from this, especially in the current climate...it's all about human to human interactions. We can't fix the world but we can do individual things that make a difference. Leah, best of luck with your upcoming life challenges. Alan NYC On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:59:54 AM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today,
[RBW] Re: A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor
Thank you, Leah, for sharing this beautiful story. Sincerely yours, Shoji Arlington MA On Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 10:59:54 AM UTC-4, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: > > A Boy, A Bike, and A Benefactor: A True and Heartwarming Rivendell Tale > > If you are living here and now, you probably notice a scarcity of kindness > and generosity. You aren’t sure how we got here and how to change it, and > also, you’re exhausted. What can we really do? This is a story that turns > one’s typical experience on its head - a story that takes the word kind and > stretches it, tests it, transforms it. In this story, we see the word > kindness become generosity. > > Generous. When was the last time someone was generous with you? So > generous you stood there, nonplussed and humbled? Merriam-Webster defines > the word generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I will tack onto that > definition from the Book of Leah: “giving until it pinches a bit; the kind > of giving that costs one something; giving without expectation for > something in return; a higher form of kindness.” (Also, there would be some > stuff about Jesus in there, but this is not that forum so I will refrain, > but it will be hard.) > > Where you find generosity, there you will find kindness, also. > > This is a story about a benefactor. This is a story about a boy. And > finally, this is a story about a bike. Your icing on the cake: this is a > story about a convergence of the three. > > I had found myself in need of a bigger bike for my 12 year old son, Ethan. > He had ridden his Specialized Hotrock from 1st grade until now, his 7th > grade year. In kid years, that’s a coon’s age to have ridden one bike. We > ride to school every week, 2 miles one way, and we need dependable, > quality bikes to do it. Bikes for pre-teens are rare as hen’s teeth; but > you know this. The company I was depending on for a kids’ bicycle had > suddenly closed its doors, so I turned to the Riv List, as is my custom. > Though disappointed about losing my first choice, I knew I’d be shown the > right places to shop, and be on my way with the problem solved. > > This is exactly what happened. I reached out, people were kind, I took a > recommendation, and I ordered a bike with a bullet-proof return policy. > Several days went by, and then one night I decided to clean out my email. > In my Junk folder, there was an email I had never seen, from several days > prior, and this is what it said: > > “If you are second guessing yourself, and humble enough to accept a > generous gift for one of my favorite riding families; if you would accept a > 45cm Clem to pass down to your boys I would happily cover the difference > between the Woom you ordered and the mini Clem to help RBW. My only request > is that if you accept; to keep me anonymous.” > > Let that sink in. Do you know what he’s saying? Look again...read it a few > times...see if you can believe it. He had to spell it out for me when I > couldn’t get my mind around it. Emails. A phone call: Take the money you > planned to spend on the other bike; put it into a little Clem, the rest is > covered. This is a Benefactor, proposing a deal that costs him to bless > another. An openhanded giver, giving so that it pinches. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? > > Once I understood, there was a choice to make. What did the Benefactor > ask? Am I humble enough to accept a generous offer - that was his question. > Reflexively: I am not, and this is pride. I don’t deserve a Benefactor. I > didn’t earn this bike. I haven’t done anything for this man. I won’t likely > have a chance to repay him for his kindness. How can I make it equal? Fair > to him? Say no, said my pride. > > When was the last time someone was generous to you? Did you allow it? > > So we spoke on the phone. We had a lovely discussion about who he is and > how he arrived at this idea, and why he sent the email. Then I realized: my > Benefactor wasn’t looking to make it equal. He was aiming for quite the > opposite. > > When was the last time someone took less so you could have more? > > I spoke to Ethan this morning, asked him what he thought. It was Christmas > in October around here - there was actual jumping for joy. “I never thought > I’d have a Rivendell!” Humbled, I agreed to the deal. Our Benefactor took > care of everything. He made the call, placed the order, sent me an email > with an order confirmation, and now there’s a little silver mini-Clem, > pony-like and lovely, with a boy’s name on it, sent from a Benefactor he > can never repay. > > When was the last time you were generous to someone who would never repay > you? > > Today, inexplicably, we were on the receiving end of a grand gesture. I > don’t know that our Benefactor can truly know the depths at which we feel > this. I will tell this story, keep his secret, and he will read about it. > There will be photos
