I t’s one of my favorite cities in the world. San Francisco. Just those two words alone can make me happy, excited, and ready eat! The city is beautiful and strong and artsy and amazingness just oozes from the cracks. When I woke yesterday morning, I was charged to get busy and make my rounds around the hilly streets that feel like home.
Shortly after waking, I grabbed my bag and made my way to 24 Hour Fitness for a morning workout…afterall, I wanted to pre-burn some calories before I devoured the city and licked the bones Golden Gate Bridge dry. As I was on the treadmill, I saw a gentleman in a wheelchair pass a stationary bicycle located just under the television broadcasting the Olympics. He looked up at the TV, at the bike, at the TV again and decided, yes, that’ll be his bike of choice. He placed his wheelchair adjacent to bike and pulled himself on the seat, lifting his left leg over the bike to ensure his balance on the saddle. The entire process took about seven minutes. I tried not to look. I really did. But my eyes darted from the Women’s 200 Freestyle to his determined eyes and strong arms. Once on the bike, the man slowly and mercilessly pushed on the pedals, his thin legs shaking from the pressure. When the wheels began to slowly turn, a brief smile came across his face and he lifted his chin for a moment.
I wanted to stop running because of the lump in my throat. I wanted to cheer him on. I wanted to rip a gold medal from the TV screen and place it around his neck. I wanted to let him know that in this huge city brimming with hopes and dreams, I got a sneak peek to his. For the first time in a long time, I saw determination in human form. I saw determination in his strong arms and shaky legs. And it was beautiful.
The rest of the day was spent in Union Square eating and enjoying the stunning day. Later that evening, the Free To Succeed Tour seminar took place by Fisherman’s Wharf and the turnout was amazing! I was so blessed to meet so many new photographers and speaking to a group of 140+ people was amazing. I thank you all you fabulous people who drove from near and far (there was even a photographer from Australia representing!) to learn how to push your art and business in the right direction. Thank you.
I’ll be blogging last weekend’s wedding tomorrow, but here’s a shot JD caught of me and Janey…and I just love it. While it may not be the most complimentary image, it shows how much fun we had together. I love my brides…and I’m so blessed to do what I love…
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