31 Days of Gratitude - In an attempt to publicly express my gratitude for the people that have impacted me in some way in 2015, I'm setting out to write one post a day sharing what I appreciate about them or what moment that marked me. Some of these people I know well, some I've only met, and some I'm just getting to know. There is no ranking to these posts and they aren't meant to put anyone on a pedestal. They, like you and I, are imperfect people with their own flaws, some you may have experienced. Despite those flaws, I believe we all need to have our positive characteristics called into light and celebrated. This is that attempt.
I've only gotten to know Dave within the past year and he's quickly become one of my favorite people to be around because he just makes it so easy. He's the kind of guy that can float around a room and strike up a substantial conversation with each and everyone in the room. His commanding presence is not just determined by his towering height or his big voice, but his genuine interest to be with the people he's with or those that look disconnected from a group. He ranks in the list of "nicest guys" I know and is a genuinely "good dude."
He's also one of the most generous guys I know who would literally give you the shirt off his back if it'd fit you. I've been the recipient of this generosity when he loaned me one of his mountain bikes all summer to enjoy since he had two. I saw him go out of his way to give another cyclist a pair of extra mountain bike shoes he had sitting around because the guys shoes came apart in a race. The only thing he wanted in return was to see the guy enjoy his bike and not have to worry about duct taping his shoe back together. I've seen him love his friends this year by always showing up for rides, even if he's the only other one to show up. He joined me on my birthday century ride. His generous spirit extends to anyone he meets as he quickly works to get to know them before trying to be known himself.
I'm grateful for Dave because I feel like his personality is on the opposite side of much of the spectrum as mine and it's encouraging to be in friendship with others that make it easy to get to know one another. I so appreciate the times our common friends are together because it becomes easy to be about the positive things we love about cycling and community rather than all the negativity that can overtake conversations quickly. I'd always choose to ride at the back of the group with friends, than try to hang on the wheel of people that care more about pace, bike stuff, or what the other dude said about the other dude.
With such an outgoing personality, I'm sure Dave deals with a fair share of misunderstanding from people around him. I've seen a few times this year where Dave's call for what's right get misunderstood and blown up by folks that don't have the patience to get to know him. However that effects him, I'm grateful that he seems to be able to turn that negativity into positivity and not let it get him too bent out of shape. I'm grateful for the displays of grace I've seen him offer others and how he cares for his friends. He's the kind of guy that I know if I needed something right now, he'd do what he could to help out. People like this are my tribe and I'm grateful for them.
Looking forward to more time riding together in 2016, David. Be encouraged that your kindness, generosity, and upbeat spirit makes people happy. You're someone people want to be around.