Pay it Forward - Inspire Unkowingly

I was reading a fellow Blackburn Rangers post on Blackburn's website and she was talking about the encounter she had with a family on route and she was explaining her trip down the Pacific Coast Highway.  She commented on the kid staring up at her in amazement as she told them of her adventure, and that she remembers being that kid hearing a similar story when she was younger.

We are not the first, we are not the last but we can inspire others as we have been inspired.  I remember the story of Terry Fox and his incredible attempt to run across the country with one leg. I never met him, he never knew my name or imagined that he would give me a perspective that made me dream more, but he did. He just did it. When the sickness ended his trip, and ultimately his life, his journey did not seem unfulfilled to me.  He did what he set out to do and he gave it everything.  He is one of my heroes.  The perspective that gave me as a child is a world of endless possibilities.  People were actually doing things that others deemed impossible and I always wanted to be part of that world.  It took a while but I conquered one of my own impossibles and now I see things in the world I dreamt of as a kid. 

At a point on the route in Colorado where the route meets the mighty Colorado river I stopped in at a white water rafting outfit to find some lunch.  No real food to be found except for the sandwiches that were made for the paid participants that had returned for their lunch break.   I settled for 3 ice cream sandwiches, a bag of chips, a couple chocolate bars, a large bag of skittles, Coke, water and Gatorade and prayed that someone would not be too hungry and there may be a sandwich left on the tray when they were all done!  No Luck. As I sat on the porch, I noticed a dad and son checking over my bike that was leaned up against the fence in the shade.  Dad had his finger out pointing to all of the bags and explaining what he though might be in each one, as the son stood slightly bent over with both hands on his knees taking in his dad's knowledge.  As he looked over at me I wasn't sure which he thought was better the bike or my lunch. I headed over and we discussed the bike, the race and my lunch choices and I could see the wheels turning in this boys head.  I took off shortly after our conversation and with a wave goodbye I had to smile to myself and wonder if I will be unknowingly following this kids blue dot one day. I hope so. 

I hope I can leave a legacy to my kids that will lead them to inspire others unkowingly.