On my 2015 Signature Tour journey, I received some messages from some very special people. I dedicated my 2015 signature tour to a Mother and Son.
The following messages are from the family of Toni and David and they really hit home with me why we take the time to fund raise, train and put our bodies through pain year after year. The following messages are a testament to the work that Tour de Cure do and the way that Tour de Cure help families and individuals to relieve some of the pain and suffering that cancer has caused in their lives.
"This is a long and emotional post, the type I too-often shirk, but a story worth writing.
Today a person did some thing they didn't have to, and honoured someone they didn't know.
Cory Morris completed a hell of a cycling journey, the Tour de Cure, and helped raise over $4m for many teams of cancer researchers, medics, hospitals, sufferers of cancer and those who suffer with them.
For reasons I am still unable to fathom, he dedicated his tour this year to the memory of my mother, Toni Pawsey, who died on this day in 2003.
Not only did he not know her, he doesn't really know me either. We met once, I offered my gift-of-the-gab to MC a trivia fundraiser for the TdC, which we then did. So we've met twice. He's been raising funds for years so my donation of time to the cause is just a blip on the radar. But yet, he chose to honour my family in this way. Today, after riding all day into Melbourne, he extended that honour to my sister Marie-Louise Pawsey who went to meet them completing the tour. He doesn't know her either. But yet he, his wife Stephanie and both their families, treated her as family, and she was very touched, as am I.
And so, on this day, the anniversary of my mothers' death, I thank the kindness and humble selflessness of the Morris family, and especially Cory and Stephanie who have gone so far out of their way to honour people they hardly know.
Now massage those legs and sleep the sleep of royals."
I felt it important to go to Albert Park yesterday to be there when the team finished the final leg of their event. I wanted to get a group together to show appreciation, particularly as I thought I might get messy and would need my paw held, but that wasn't to be. I expected to be at the park for possibly as little as ten minutes or so but felt it worth driving all the way from Glenroy and back. I mean what's that distance or time when the cyclists had come from all over the country to ride up to 250km each day?
I'd been kept apprised of the ETA by Cory's lovely wife via phone and text during the day and was lucky to arrive just before the group made their entrance to the finish line.
While waiting, I became aware that I was surrounded by families who'd traveled from interstate to be reunited with their loved one. It put my short trip into perspective and made me glad I'd made the effort, small as it was. Children, wives, husbands and parents were dressed up and carrying home made signs showing their love and support and there was such a buzz of excitement that I felt envy that I wasn't more involved- and perhaps a little inspired though my event of choice would probably be a danceathon, talkathon or maybe a chocolate eating contest.
After the stream of riders came through to rapturous applause, I waited a few minutes for the Morris family to be reunited watched many cyclists rushing to their proud families. Stephanie and I found each other and there I was introduced to Cory, to whom I tried to express my appreciation and gratitude, but as is rare for me, I found my vocabulary inadequate- even now I can't find just the right words to express how I feel. Stephanie also introduced me to her parents, and Cory's, all there, from Queensland, in support of his feat and all of whom seemed fully aware of who I was as though I was the one who'd made the trek. Though they'd only just met me they were fully aware of the significance of the day and talked to me with more kindness than I've ever experienced from strangers. They are clearly special people who've done a wonderful job raising such fine adults as Cory and Stephanie. They're all lucky to have each other, and I feel honoured and privileged that they allowed me to share a little of their day with them and to have been able to commemorate what is a very emotional day in such an uplifting and spirited way.
There is hope for a cure while so many good people are working so hard towards it."
"Thank you Cory. I'm Dave's eldest sister Cate. Only just found out about this, and am very touched and impressed. What a great service you do for those who suffer from Cancer. I hope the trip is not too painful for you, and that you make many friends and good memories along the way. I look forward to hearing more of your adventures.Needless to say, I'm very proud of my brother Dave for many reasons, but if I may say so, am proud of you too! Thank you again."
"I am one of David's sisters and I would like to thank you for dedicating your ride to Mum and to Elyssa. I've always followed the ride with interest having a few friends who have been affected by cancer.
I hope you achieve all you hope to and I wish you luck riding with this awful weather you are facing and have experienced."
I thank you again for dedicating the tour to my mum, I wanted to come up for the end of the ride but was not in the right head space for that. Sometimes the anniversary of Mum's death hits me harder than others and that day was one of them. I had a cup of tea with my dad and spent the day with my kids. That was about all I could manage and spent the whole weekend being teary.
I'm so glad there are people like you who are selfless in the fight against cancer. We all do our little bits but nothing as painful as what you endure every year.
I'm looking forward to taking an interest in your rides in the years to come."