Peddle Harder

My sweet sister, Kristen.

Falling off a bike is a normal occurrence for people. We’re clumsy, dismiss curbs and try to test the limits on the rough street terrain. Tumbling off a bike hurts. We get bruised and bloody, scrapped and scabbed; but, we get over it. It doesn’t faze us. We’re resilient to setbacks. After all, we are human. On most days we entertain the idea we are unbreakable—a piece of china strapped to the deck of a vessel in a sea storm. My sister carries with her every day the concept of collapsing. She knows she is a glass house; but this does not stop her from strapping on a helmet, wrist guards and knee pads. She peddles long and hard with a fear most never have to carry. You see—Kristen has a tumor which has rendered her legally blind. 

Her lack of vision is camouflaged by her confidence and sheer joy radiating from her smile. Raven hair, her stylish bangs cover something my family likes to call her “battle scar.” It stretches from the center of her forehead to just above the top of her right ear. It’s a reminder of the emergency brain surgery, 10 years ago, that altered her life forever in a paramount way.

I find myself longing to see colors the way others see them, Kristen has said to me. The vivid hues in heavy tapestry and pastel flowers that cover wedding cakes, we take for granted—she yearns to see these colors in the fullest spectrum.  Kristen sees the world through altered eyes and this set-back, some might call it, has in-turn seasoned her heart. It overflows with compassion—a compassion unheard of and unbridled. She is the definition of a hero. She exercises superhuman strength daily.

Believe & Give Thanks

Kimi and Ashley at the Macy's Parade.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he, who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.


I cannot explain the excitement I felt watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time with one of my closest friends, Ashley. As each enormous balloon passed, I was overwhelmed with the grandeur and sheer magnificence of the designs. How could something so large elegantly glide through the air? Thousands of people gathered in the heart of New York City on this magical holiday to celebrate this uniquely American holiday. What a feeling—giving thanks for this great nation, standing in jubilation for the formation of this country where one can exercise true freedom.


As the parade was winding down, it was interesting to me that the last balloons were three stars which had the word “believe” written on them. Although, these stars followed Santa and his sleigh complete with reindeer, I could not help but think how fitting these words are for Christians. Believe. Used as magical, fantastical words, these words are more than that in the Christian faith. I saw these balloons as symbols—beacons, if you will—and reminders that God is at work in the hearts of men nationwide not just in the holiday season but every day.


Though some see this holiday season as a break from the grind of work and a reason to indulge in cookies and hot chocolate, the tiny word “believe” carries weight in my heart this season. We have a reason to “believe.” Though, cliché now, Jesus is the reason for the season is a factual phrase. May we come together and believe this season in Christ, his work and presence in our lives.

Believe balloons at the end of the parade.