A day of inspiration

We entered Oklahoma this morning..it's hard to believe I am almost halfway through my journey...
Tonight we sit in the little town of Weatherford OK..the home of a great American pioneering hero..Thomas Stafford ! Can any of you tell me, without using a search engine what he was famous for..?
My beautiful wife and two children have arrived at the RV to see me and the Oklahoma Team in Training ride into downtown OC with all the press..NBC ABC CBS ESPN are all covering the ride...what a privilege..
I am so glad to have my family with me tonight..

Today however my bike gears fell apart..that's what happens after 1200 miles of abuse..but a quick stop at the Bike Peddlers shop in Elk City soon fixed that problem..new chain new gears..good as new...Today, like yesterday, was tough riding hard winds and freezing weather, I don't think it got over 40 degrees all day and the rain was driving right through me..

Despite all my woe's today..I was inspired..after my misery yesterday and the pain I felt and the hopelessness of my mental anxiety, an angel came to me...that's all I can describe it as..a miracle...
We had just entered into Oklahoma from Texas and got onto old route 66..we stopped to take a few photos..Chris announced we desperatly needed fuel in the RV..the needle just dropped he said..we were on empty...okay first fuel stop, let's fill up..Chris went ahead I followed on my bike..normally, Chris will fill up and be done before I even get close..but I forgot I had my wallet in my pocket..he had to wait for me to get there..We were in a little town of Eric at a tiny Fuel stop..the only fuel stop in the town ..a tall, handsome young man walked to the door of the store the same time as I did..he had an aura around him and a handsome strong smile. He stood almost as tall as my 6 ft 8..he held the door open for me..I thanked him...I had to wait at the cashier's as it took a while to fill the RV..this gentleman was in, served, and out in seconds..When I finally left the store, I heard someone call my name out loud.." Tony "... I looked around it was the gentleman from the store. "I just want to thank you for helping save my life..I am a survivor of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma...and if it were not for people like you I would not be alive"....he shook my hand with a tight grip of thanks....
I had my total inspiration restored. When I needed an angel... one appeared.

Comments

[Jami O'Hagan]

Next to Delaney, you are my hero!!!! It reaffirms my faith that at your lowest moments you are given a sign to carry on. We think of and pray for you daily. Keep up the GREAT WORK!!!

[Joe Rollo]

Tony,

Keep up the good work. I am 5 chemo treatments of 12 for Hodgkin's disease now (Stage 3A) and it is great reading about survivor stories and what they are now doing to help. Thank you!

-Joe