Been a while since I laid down a word here – but for good reason. Right after popping off the last piece about the end of the Tour (de France) weeks ago, I flew off to spend time with my dear ol’ mom in California for her 92nd birthday.

Mom’s always been one unique and fiercely independent woman. She was one of the first woman radiation oncologists and always a champion for compassionate care. For the past three years, she’d been living with her now 93 year old, very spry, and incredibly supportive best friend in Laguna Beach. But just before getting to California two weeks ago – a trip my girl and I had planned along with one my younger brothers months in advance – my mom ended up in the hospital and then rehab facility due to degrading physical strength. Read more »