SNM Tour Day #78
WE DID IT!!
(no I didn't get arrested - just my big brother!)
With a police escort, we cruised into St John's downtown this morning in no time. The final 16 kms seemed to pass by like a blur. We started in a bit of sun which quickly clouded and fogged over and the rest of the day was shrouded in a mysterious fog. With no wind and no rain, there were no complaints - couldn't have asked for a better way to end the tour.
We passed Mile 1 Centre (formerly known as Mile 1 Stadium). Then we stopped at Mile 0 at City Hall for some quick photos and video. Then onward to the Terry Fox monument which was Terry's Mile 0. I stopped there and did a "speech" on video - which will be used for media locally and nationally and for the SNM video that Byrnes is compiling. Monique had a big cry and it was a very emotional time for both of us. We headed over to the Harbour Side Park where there was access to the actual ocean and I dipped my tire (well actually the entire bottom half of my bike when a wave came in off the rocks) in the Atlantic Ocean.
Ocean to ocean - 7600 kms or so of running and riding has been completed. The goal has been accomplished. The dream has been realized. With Monique by my side, Marc and Colette close by and so, so many people with us in spirit we successfully completed the run/cycle part of the SAD no more Canadian Tour 2010!!
I have much thanks to give - we have a long drive ahead of us, so a lot of time to contemplate, summarize and say what needs to be said. I have learnt a great deal about a lot of things. As an educator, I may have learnt more than I taught over all the miles. I have learnt so much about Canada and Canadians, about mental illness and stigma, about Monique and about myself.
My life will never be the same. You cannot do something like this without being touched and changed. Again I will ponder and blog about this in the days to come. First it's time to CELEBRATE!!
Tour Day Sponsor is AJ and Evelyn Malik - thanks so very much for the generous support now and throughout the years.
Quotes of the day
We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.
Roald Dahl
The thing about performance, even if it’s only an illusion, is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do contain within ourselves infinite possibilities.
Sydney Smith
I'm proud of you cousin!
ReplyDeleteYOU DID IT!!
ReplyDeleteWe are so proud of you. Get home safe!
Oh, S*#T!...I'm proud of you too MOM!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations...WAY to GO!
ReplyDeleteALLELUIA - you are safe and sound and so inspired...You expressed it so well today, and I look forward to hearing the insights in all the future days ahead. What a team...fidelity, perseverance, all !
ENJOY the Celebrations and the unwind and the ongoing unfolding as you journey through your HOME back to home...
Congratulations to both you Ted and Monique for completing this adventure for a worthy cause. I wish I could have spent some days going along with you. Catch up with you on the other side fo Canada - maybe in Calgary - for a shared ride!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ted and Monique - the two of you certainly do contain "within yourselves infinite possibilities." Perhaps the most wondrous of these possibilities becoming real is all the people the two of you have touched directly and indirectly along the way - strangers, fellow travelers, the host of medical practitioners and media and all of us who followed your exploits more or less vicariously along the way. All of us are that much richer for having experienced your selfless dedication. Party hearty knowing that the resolve and conviction the two of you conveyed will have an impact far beyond your wildest imaginations!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo you made it! Congrats Dad!!! And Mom too! I can't believe how fast time flew by! Wish I could have been there for the grand dip in the ocean finale! See you guys soon!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS DR JABLONSKI
ReplyDeleteIm glad you made it safe and sounds.
we all miss you at work and all of your patient keep asking about you and we have been keeping them posted and we cant wait till we see you both back in calgary.
Loretta
Hooray!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you are done! This has been such an amazing past few months and it seemed to go by so fast.
Congratulations. You did it!
I can't wait to see you.
Love,
Jen.
CONGRATULATIONS - I'm so happy for both of you, Ted and Monique. You did it! What a gift that you were blessed with being able to complete this dream journey!
ReplyDeleteOur prayers have been with you and will continue,
Love, Mom
Congrats!!! There aren't words enough to let you and Monique know how much and how many you have inspired.Thank you isn't sufficient to express the gratitude for sharing the journey.
ReplyDeleteWay to go.
ReplyDeleteYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
ReplyDeleteTED and MONIQUE you did it.....from coast to coast your smiling faces and bright sunny energy has swept our great nation leaving behind a wave of love, knowledge, respect, clear healthy vision, humour, endurance, gratitude, determination, incredible photos and some stunning videos to come. Few have the will power to take on such challenges, I am blessed to have 3 of you, modern day warriors in our family to cross this great country in pursuit of leaving Canada a better place to live and raise our families. You two, show us that if you are willing to give your time, time will open up opportunities to make a real difference in your lives and the lives of others! We thank you for caring so much about your fellow Canadians and human beings. Mental illness has come out of its cramped closets, one can have successful careers and lives whilst acknowledging ones mental illnesses. We treat physical illnesses with no stigma, it is time to accept and respect all the mental illnesses. YOU have paved the way for table top conversations of all illnesses that affect our communities. Tears of joy are with you, from all of us, nothing like the sweet buzz than calmness from achieving such a physical and emotional journey across Canada. You are an amazing man, Monique you are an incredibly supportive and loving wife and friend, of which this trip would not of happened without you! Take pride in all your actions and hard work, pats on the back to you and all your Teams! We love you dearly and can hardly wait to see you! YYYYYYahooo, you did it!
Yeaa.... welcome to Dildo, Newfoundland..... ;) bet you weren't going to mention...
ReplyDeleteto all who left comments of congrats and support
ReplyDelete7608 thanks - 1 for every km of road run/cycled
none of this could have been possible without the support and encouragement of so many!
Awesome pictures, awesome people,awesome cause, awesome accomplishment!!! Well done!! dz
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Dr. J!
ReplyDeleteLindsey B.