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The Lummi Nation Logo

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Day 10 Mount Vernon to Lummi

This is Ralph not John. I woke up too early this morning, excited, couldn't sleep, and thought it would be a good time to summarize our trip and to thank everyone for your love and support. So I woke John from a sound sleep and asked him to fire up the blog. Thanks grumpy:)

When I first thought of this ride it was as simple as "I'm gonna get on my bike and ride to Lummi". A very "Forrest Gump" moment considering Lummi is 1,000 miles from home. Over time, I've come to realize that there was a reason for my simple intention. During my life I've been blessed with loving parents who adopted me (Alfred and Clarissa Juarez), a loving sister {Sandra), my wife Michelle who loves me and who together we have created and raised (7) children, and her loving family the "Tuttles" who accept you for who you are and still love you for all your imperfections. I thought if I've been so blessed with the family that I've always known, would it be possible to again find that love with family that I've never known but whom I share a biological bond with? I cannot go back in time and create relationships that never existed but I look forward to and am hopeful of the new relationships that are in their infancy and those that are too follow.

First, I want to thank Michelle for loving me for all my crazy ideas. I want to thank Michelle's sister, Clare Devlin for all her words of encouragement during this journey. I want to thank Zachary for sitting in the saddle and riding with me on this great adventure ( I know you will remember this trip for the rest of your life). I want to thank John for being at Zach and I's beck and call and making this adventure run so smoothly and for having the talent to think of, and write this incredible blog. I want to thank Vela Kerkoff at Lummi enrollment for her emails and words of encouragement in directing me to family. I want to thank my new brother Troy George and his wife Cutrina for being the first to open up their home and life to me in discovering my new family. I want to also thank my new brother Tom Kinley and his wife Rachael for their telephone calls and emails and I look forward to meeting you both soon. I want to thank Danita Washington for all her telephone calls and behind the scenes work for putting me in contact with family, contacting the Lummi college, and for setting up a dinner on Thursday evening to meet my new family. And finally, I want to thank all our family and friends for their love and financial support of the new scholarship fund created in the name of of my biological mom, Kristine.

Well its time to get the day started and get back in the saddle for one final ride to Lummi. Best to all, Ralph

9 comments:

  1. Hi Ralph - thank you for the summary. I could tell it came straight from your heart. Brought a tear to my eye in fact. Enjoy your time at Lummi and your reunion with family. Lori Terra

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  2. Hi Ralph - Don and I have been following your journey from day 1. John has done an excellent job bringing your trip to life through this blog! It sounds like an incredible trip you guys have been on - and what an amazing reason to do it!! Here's hoping your last day is a good one and you have a great time connecting with all your family! Looking forward to seeing you back in cycle class someday soon!

    Sarah and Don Smith :)

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  3. Ralph you brought a tear to by eye as well. I am watching the clock, getting excited, knowing that your ride is coming to an end... and if done to your planning you should be resting right now getting ready for the meet and greet at 1:00. Thinking of you guys. And eagerly waiting for tonights blog. I sure hope it isn't the last of the trip. : ) Love you guys.

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  4. the force told me the peddleing stopped at
    1304 hrs 06-09-10...... check your phone

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  5. Congratulations to all of you on your long journey. What wonderful stories to be told by so many for many years to come. You guys are an inspiration to us all! Thanks a for sharing. Cory Devlin

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  6. Danielle WeinsteinJune 10, 2010 at 8:09 AM

    Congratulations Uncle Ralph. You are such an amazing man and father. Your family is very lucky to meet you and now know how great you are. Thanks for letting us share this journey with you and your adorable boys. John is too funny!

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  7. Congratulations on completing such an incredible ride. And Yes, John, you did an amazing job writing the blog. I really enjoyed being part of this journey. Thank you. You guys will remember this for the rest of your lives. Hope you have a wonderful time with your new family.

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  8. I've gotta say fellas, quite an accomplishment on all of your parts and I commend all 3 of you! AWESOME!!!

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  9. Ralph, Today I had the change to read all the adventures you had been through in this journey
    Congratulations to all of You.
    Adriana Parra

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