Thank you Glen

 Tomorrow I will miss a memory of life service for Glen Newcomb, a friend from Connecticut who was hit by a van earlier this year and died of his injuries. Instead, I will be headed to Northfield to help my friend Amy at the All of the Above trail race she is organizing, but I've prepared a memory of Glen to be read on my behalf by my father who will be attending. Please share in honoring Glen by reading.

As the dis-organizer of the Detour de Connecticut, a ride that prided itself on staying far off the beaten path, I was aware of a lack of options for refilling water bottles on the route's loop to the east of Willimantic. With his house conveniently near the middle of that gap in services, I'd asked Glen if he would leave out a few jugs of water to help riders replenish their tired bodies. 

It was Glen, so of course, he said yes, and added a hope that we would use the Sunday raindate so he would be able to join the ride as well. It never worked out for Glen to join, but his spirit was adored by all who rolled up Old Kings Highway to find, not just much needed water, but a table with muffins and fruit and a sign proclaiming "Detour de Connecticut rest stop"!

Wow, wow, and wow again, I'd never expected that, but along with everyone else who flopped down on his lawn, I'd been overjoyed by the surprise goodies as I contemplated the remaining more than fifty miles to complete the second half of the ride. On the days of that event, which ran for a little less than ten years, Glen was loved by many a tired rider, most who would never meet him. That was 100% Glen.

I was faced with a schedule conflict today: join this service in memory of Glen, or help a friend who is organizing a trail running race in Western Mass. I went back and forth deciding the best choice, but in some ways, I hope I honor Glen's memory best by helping a friend. Thank you Glen. You were an amazing person I will always remember as smiling, and you continue as an inspiration for us all. Thank you Glen.

I've been thinking of apologizing to those who read this blog with the line, "You get what I'm not paid for." While I do, often badly, proofread, I don't compose and edit these entities. This is what it looks like when I show a little more care. I'm sorry on many levels.