Let’s talk about Ernie… remember Ernie?
When I was Indianapolis, I was getting ready to speak on the morning show, IndyStyle TV. I stood outside the studio and bowed my head in prayer. Many times on the Journey, I would ask God, “Why am I riding the Interstates?? Why am I alone?? What is the purpose of all this???” The air was heavy with moisture and it was already about 80 degrees, even though it was only 8 am. I had a long day of riding ahead of me and I knew it would be a hot one.
My phone started to vibrate, letting me know that I had received a message. When I checked the email, it was from a man named Ernie. He wrote, “Hey Linda, I’m an old friend, neighbor and roomate of your brother Randy. Just wanted to say that your journey has helped me rethink my journey with cancer and will keep me pushing to get better. What I thought was my last chemo session a couple of weeks ago is not, now they are going to be more agressive in this battle. Thanks for your inspiration.”
I started to cry. I do seem to cry alot on this darn Journey!! I knew at that moment that God had answered my questions for that day!! Sometimes you throw a pebble in the pond of life and you get to see the ripples!! Ernie was a wave!!
At that moment I knew, I would ride the Interstates ten times over, to be able to participate in something this monumental!! For you see, it’s not only Ernie who is the ripple… It’s also all the people that Ernie will touch after this!!
Ernie has taken the lemons of life, he has squeezed every drop of juice out of them, added sweet sugar and now, because the Journey has touched him, he will share that sweet lemonade with all those he comes in contact with. He may not even know he is doing it!!
When I returned to California, I had the opportunity to speak with Ernie. Come to find out, his situation was much more dire then I realized. “I’m… going to die anyway. I dont know why I clicked on Randy’s link to Journey, but Im glad I did. I read your story and realized I was being selfish and could fight this. No one knows about this, it was before I read about you and your cause. When I wanted to end it all, I made an appt with the anethesiologist to find out what drugs he was going to use to keep me under during the hip surgery. Then I googled all drugs that would have an allergic reaction to his drugs. I had one drug on hand that if taken enough of I would have never woken up. Thank you Linda, as you know I chose a different path…”
Was the Journey worth it?? Just ask Ernie, or better yet… ask all those people that Ernie will share the gift of life with!! Remember, sometimes, one little kind act, can change someone’s whole existence!! TOGETHER, we can each have a Journey to Change!!
I knew you was badass when I met you to prove it more and more as I read your journey stick with the winners that means everyone cause you don’t know who might be one smile
When I first chose that song, im not sure what it was for. At first I thought it was my promise to God, that I wont let go. Then I thought about you and how you helped me and how I would not let go with my journey with you. This year has been pure hell on me. I lost the love of my life of 12 years, was diagnosed with cancer and then managed to hurt myself on the job. I walked away from my house because I could no longer afford the payments. I have not worked since March 1st due to this injury and it not being diagnosed correctly untill late in May. My ex stole everything I had, but it was not stealing in Texas because it was considered a civil matter in a common law state. I moved into this trailer park with the full intention of not staying long and ending my life. I did try on a few occasions with mass amounts of every type of pain killer I had, but for some reason I just couldnt pull it off. I even went to the point of begging God to just let me end my life, I guess it just wasent in the cards. Every morning that I woke up I was just dissapointed and wanted to try harder, but I thought of my 3 Great Danes that meant the world to me. I could not imagine anyone else feeding them and spoiling them as I do, so my my mood changed. Though I had cancer, I was still trying a little bit to survive. When I got to my worse, is when sought medical help in my lifes end. I wanted to end my life, but didnt want my son to lose my benefits. For some reason that day, I clicked a link to this sight, Linda’s Journey to change me. It was supposed to change her, but it changed me. After reading her story I decided that I needed to live and change me. I am thankful for her and her ability to change people. People, without her I wouldnt be here and I can honestly say that I love her. I will not let go, never.
Linda,
What an awesome article!! Still following you as your journey still continues as you continue to share! Just remember you are never alone as you continue your walk of journey through life! God will never leave!!
That was the best thing anyone could wake up to, I am speachless Linda.