Friday, August 7, 2009

It's at times like this that I wish I believed.

Mine is a lousy blog, and I am a lousy blogger. I hardly ever update, because I seem to have nothing much to say that is funny or interesting or inspiring. At the opposite end of the spectrum sits Elden Nelson, the "Fat Cyclist". For years he's been writing a blog that is interesting, funny and, inspired by his wife Susan's own serious illness, has also become the focus of heroic efforts to raise money for the fight against cancer. It's one of the best cycling blogs out there. For me, it's one of the best blogs full stop. And yet, for the last few months, I've found it more and more difficult to read as Susan fought her long retreat. On August 5th, she died.

The internet fosters a kind of false intimacy. I don't really know Elden, nor had the privilege of making Susan's acquaintance, and yet I find I do feel a great sense of loss. My deepest condolences to Elden, his family, and their friends.