Thank You, Basses

"Wow. I'm going 15mph without half trying. My legs are getting stronger. I'm making progress!"

So ran my thoughts as the mile markers flew by while pedalling east toward Folsom on Thursday. Usually, I can do the hilly terrain between Lower Sunrise and Folsom doing 12-13mph, but on Thursday, I was sailing around the curves and up and down the hills without over exerting myself. Smiling, I mentally patted myself on my back.

"Woohoo! Watch out. Speed demon coming through!"

Reaching my turning point, I only rested for half a minute to swig down some water before making the trip back, which is easier and quicker because the decline is greater than the incline. Besides, this was the new Sarah, the speed demon Sarah, the Sarah who now does 15mph on her bike without much sweat, yes?

No.

I never consider the wind until it's in my face.

My easy speed demon ride back to the van suddenly became a fight against an invisable force pushing at my chest and hampering my speed even while slipping into higher gears to gain momentum on the downhills. With a bit of humility, I realized that my triumphant and exhilaratingly quick ride to Folsom was the work of the wind at my back, which I hadn't noticed, nor respected, until it was in my face hindering me.

It reminded me of listening to the kids' choral practices and never noticing the bass support until it wasn't there. My habit was to revel in the melodies, carried by the sopranos and enhanced by the beautiful, soulful tenors, forgetting that the basses give the root of the harmony. December taught me to listen for the basses. Without the basses as the foundation of the harmony, the pitch falls apart. Easy to miss, the bass notes are usually pretty mundane and repetitive, but they are always there, keeping the music where it should be.

As my leg muscles ached for respite while fighting the wind and the inclines, I questioned how many times in life when feeling savvy and sharp, my tasks completed, accolades ringing in my ears, had I been ignorant of forces supporting my momentum. And on the flip side, do I show grace when others happily overlook the support I've given them? Or, have I grumbled that they could have at least said thank you?

Honestly, I could not recall an example of either, but that really isn't saying much considering I have entered into that fun new phase of existence where short term memory lags so much it is frightening. Afterall, I had that wind in my back (HOORAY!) and then in my face (DANG IT!) just the other week with similar conclusions and then forgot all about it on the way to Folsom on Thursday. Hopefully, I'll ride my bike enough to have the lesson sink in. Meanwhile, I think I'll write a post-it note reminding me to thank the kids for putting up with me on my bad days, and my good ones.