Once again, the riding today was fairly uneventful, and the scenery, while pleasant, was not really worth remarking on. When we arrived at camp, we got an immediate invitation to go tubing on the Mississippi - right now! - so Tony and I went and tubed with the family that runs the campsite, who gave us tubes and beer and let us hang out with their family. Then, the local MS chapter showed up to make us all dinner - which was amazing - and after dinner we went around and talked. Once again, the theme was how incredibly grateful they all were for what we were doing.
I've remarked on this before, but it really hit me today. I understand that, to these folks, what we are doing is amazing, and they see it as a sacrifice that we're making in order to make their lives better. But I don't, and can't, see it that way. I'm doing this because I love it. No - more than that - I'm doing it because I *have* to. Because it's in my soul. To not do it would feel terrible and awful and sad. So it feels weird to have someone thank me for what I would do anyway, for what I am in fact paying to be out here doing. I always just smile and say thank you, of course. I guess maybe this is what life is about: doing something that makes you happy but also helps others, so you never have to choose between the two.
