Talking to my bicycle . . .

You saved my life. That doctor said I had a damnable disease. Said not to get hot. “You can’t be active,” he said. I cried a lot. That diagnosis put me in a panic. How could I take care of my family as an invalid? I quit doing most everything that brought me joy. I still taught my classes. I still went to church. But I was hurting. And hollow inside.

Gus Bonders forced you on me. He said I would learn to love you.