Fw: [USAEAST] the week and what I learned

["C. Eyler" <eyler@mindspring.com>]

Dinah Rojek sent this to the USA East Zone List and I have her permission to
forward it to Ridecamp -- Cindy


> So it is a memory now.
> My Debriefing: The word "expectations" keeps popping into my head. In all
> things the members and support staff of Eastern Time Zone group surpassed
> my wildest expectations. I am including, with great respect, all those who
> suffered misfortunes along the selection path to the championships who
> showed up/stayed anyway to be supportive and also to Breathless and Nikki
> who we hold in our hearts.
> Ann and Julie and Todd and Kathy and Duane and Stan and Nina and Joe and
> Valerie and Chris and Mandy and Betty and Nancy and, and, and, and . . . .
> For those of you who don't know, my beloved Steve's horse threw a stick at
> my Phoenix (not Connie C's Phoenix) and knocked him right out of the race,
> but it is OK, really.
> So how can I feel so good after not finishing? I never have before and
this
> was the biggest-deal ride I have ridden in. Furthermore, how come I was
> moved by how well our squad performed; I did not "expect" to be so
thrilled
> with each one as they went up for their awards, and didn't dwell on my own
> situation? I certainly never "expected" my squad/staff/teammates to
perform
> the extraordinarily generous effort of offering me comfort when I felt
like
> I let them all down; they didn't hold it against me. I did not "expect"
> wanting to feel the way I feel now forever. I am definitely in warm, fuzzy
> mode. What a gift they gave me.
> I am so proud of how we all behaved to each other and how it was truly a
> team effort. We could laugh ourselves silly before, during and after the
> ride. Oh, it was an emotional roller coaster, no question, but we were all
> in the same car. I didn't "expect" to be so completely delighted by my
> fellow travellers or the trip.
> After involvement with four or five Pan/North Ams and two Worlds those
were
> not my "expectations".  I am not saying the others were horrible, they
were
> far from it. This time it was just so good. And I didn't even finish!
> So here is what I learned: laugh a lot no matter what, quickly resolve and
> dissolve the confusions/frustrations of not knowing where to go, of
needing
> to be in two places simultaneously, what to wear where, of what to do, of
> whom to ask (and bag "why?") , repeat ad nauseum "I am calm and poised"
and
> if a stick falls out of the sky and lames your horse -- it's not so bad if
> you hang out with  gold medal human beings!
>
> Thank you all for one of the best experiences I have ever had.
> Love,
> Dinah