18/06/2026
Yesterday, a good friend called and asked if he could stop by tomorrow and talk. He’s been carrying a lot lately, so I told him the door was open.
We sat outside and talked for a while. He shared what he’d been going through, and you could see the weight he was carrying just by looking at him.
I asked, “Want to hit the trails and clear your head?”
We loaded up the bikes and headed to the bluffs.
There were plenty of laughs, a few good stories, and more than a few moments where we questioned why we thought riding in this heat was a good idea. We beat the hell out of ourselves. It was hot, humid, and I’m still trying to get back into shape after being sidelined for so long.
But by the time we got back, we both felt better than we had in a while.
That’s the point of this story.
Be there for the people you care about. Call them. Check in. Ask them how they’re really doing, and be willing to listen. Go for a walk, grab a coffee, or take them on a bike ride that nearly makes you pass out.
It doesn’t take a grand gesture. Sometimes an hour, a conversation, and knowing someone showed up is enough to remind a person they’re not carrying it all alone.
You never know what someone is fighting, and you never know if that one conversation is exactly what they needed.
