Editor's Note:  Typically, client success stories are written by Roxanne's Studio staff, reviewed and approved by the client.  However, Sue wrote down her story to share and it was so beautiful that no changes have been made to her original.  Thank you, Sue - not only for sharing your story, but for being an inspirational part of our life.  

Pulling on my cowboy boots (yes, Rox, I said cowboy boots), I could only imagine the bathing of gravel, grass, dried corn, pebbles and water they would encounter.  A monumental journey was ahead of me and these boots were my coat of armor. Walking out of the hotel room, my arm wrapped around my daughter, I looked up into the sky … and it was a beautiful day.

The ferry securely guarded us all, all seven of us, to our destination – Washington Island.  We sat in silent anticipation; knowing we had our own personal accomplishments to achieve, but none more than me. I couldn’t wait to have my boots touch the cold metal of the bike pedals that would instantly familiarize the rest of my body with the regiment it had become acquainted with over the last seven months.  As the ferry docked and the gate opened for passengers to exit out the island, I felt the cold morning breeze welcome me … and it was a beautiful day.

Bright purple hit my eyes and I knew that Schwinn was the one for me.  We made friends instantly. Her seat was well cushioned, comfortably broken in like an old pair of pajamas and she fit me like a glove.  I took her for a test ride and it was though we were old school charms reacquainted on this antiquated island.  My hands gripped the bars tightly and away we sailed, looking out over the trees of yellow, red, green and orange … and it was a beautiful day. 

We all smiled and yelled to each, energy was high, spirits set free and the day was ours, with nothing to stop us.  “Heads up” the tail rider or caboose would yell to the reset of us if a car was coming up, which meant we all rode single file on the bike path cleanly mapped out for us until the car passed, and then we worked in and out of each other again as we passed, competitively search out the lead spot. Not one felt more energized than me. There was no shortness of breath, no muscle pain, no heart pounding.  Only the continuous motion of the pedal and the purple body moving through the air, taking me for the ride of a lifetime. … and it was a beautiful day.

Up the hill, down the hill, up the hill, ride, push, ride, push.  Trees, farms, wheat, corn, tractors.  Stand up, push, ride, push.  Sit down, ride, push, ride. Flowers, cattle, goats,.  Position three, ride, breath, push.  Position two, ride, breath, push. Apples, cherries, hot cocoa.  All the elements, working succinctly. Pride, push, honor, push, happiness, push, success, ride, ride, ride.  … and it was a beautiful day.

Two bike riders in professional gear and very expensive bikes rode past us.  We all moved aside to make room for the serious over-achievers. Now, I thought, was my chance.  A major hill loomed ahead and the time was right to test my ability.  I could hear Roxanne’s voice … “We are all athletes,”  so I took off from the pack and made my way up along side the two strangers that rode so effortlessly in third gear.  I smiled to them both, sitting erectly on my purple Schwinn and soled cowboy boots and they condescendingly smiled back.  I took a small space on the open rode and began my cl8imb.  In disbelieve, the two riders at once felt challenged.  I made my way up that hill evenly, cleanly, with my feet rolling the barrel across the water, my shoulders d4opped and air entering my nose and exiting my mouth.  We were chained together. I, no more, no less than they and we touched the top as one, but I flew down the hill separately, with my hair flying back and my boots spread out, feeling the freedom of my accomplishment  … and it was a beautiful day.

Returning to the hotel around 7:00, the group decided to hit the pool and sauna.  I elected to remain in the room and get ready for dinner.  As I watched the sun set and dusk fall quickly over the wheat fields, I felt very fortunate to be alive, to have loving family and to have such great friends.  But mostly, I said a quite thank you to God for bringing Roxanne into my life, for from this point forward; it will be forever changed …. And I know it was a beautiful day!