Get out and live

Tomorrow I'm going to hop on my 2002 Cannondale road bike and venture out to New York City. Yes, I am crazy, and no, I'm not in as good a shape as I should be. But I'm still doing it. \nBy the time this reaches your eyes, I will have watched fireworks in the Big Apple, cycled over 1,000 miles and have probably cried myself to sleep every night. \nMy inspiration for doing this trip is my grandfather.\nHe has been in the hospital since Jan. 3. He acquired a virus called septic shock and has been on a ventilator since. Luckily, Eli Lilly invented a new $10,000 drug to treat his condition -- but his battle is not over. \nI visited him in May, and he made me appreciate the simple things in life. It is a challenge for my grandfather to stand. His legs are weak and he is emotionally drained. The Florida in his skin has started to fade, and he can only speak when he has a special valve attached to his tracheotomy tube. \nMy grandfather hasn't lost hope.\nAfter six months, he still has faith he will walk out of room 232 in Kindred Hospital. My visit with him humbled me a great deal and leaving him may have been the hardest thing I've ever done.\nWhen I moved to Holland, Mich., I met a really unique person. Within the first 15 minutes of chatting with him, he threw a piece of paper and a pen at me.\n"Make a top 10 list of things you want to do this summer, and we can do them together," he said.\nI decided I would dedicate my list to my grandfather. And suddenly, just like that, my summer had a new purpose. I knew one thing for sure, I needed some excitement deeper than selling tickets for a boat ride. Top on my list: a biking adventure. I know riding 100 miles a day sounds nuts to the general public, but there's something about it that excites me, and this summer may be my only opportunity to experience it.\nNext on my list: I want to sail. Sailing is the most peaceful activity I have ever done. I also want to read more, write a book, bungee jump, water ski, camp out on the beach and work at a hot dog stand.\nI encourage you to make a top 10 list. You'd be surprised at how many of those items you may actually accomplish. \nIt's funny how we sometimes get so caught up in our responsibilities that we forget to simply live a little. I understand the importance of money. For many of us, summer funds keep us fed in the winter, but I'd rather say I ventured across the country on my bike than purchase overpriced books for school in the fall.\nMaybe I am a little crazy. Maybe my priorities are a little out of line. Or maybe I'm just looking to have a good time. After my adventure, I'll let you know if it was worth it.\nI'm quite certain the summers following graduation will not revolve around whether it was a beach day or a day to snuggle and fall asleep to that classic novel you always wanted to say you read ("Catch 22" is my summer pick). \nTake advantage of your free time.