Ride for Refuge 2012
The morning of the Nashville Ride for Refuge dawned rainy and gray, but the weather didn't get us down! My girls were so eager to Ride, even though it was COLD. Watching all of the Riders line up and then take off in groups was very exciting! With the last of the 8 mile group on their way, my two big girls on bikes, and my toddler, hitching a ride in the jogging stroller pushed by my husband Will, brought up the rear. I enjoyed doing registration with Karen Karpinski and Dana Montgomery and greeting all of the riders was one of the highlights of my morning as I put faces with names that I'd seen on the Nashville Ride for Refuge website for the last few months.
My family enjoyed doing the first mile together, and then I went and picked up the two little girls so that my husband and oldest daughter could continue the Ride. They went on to finish the ENTIRE 8 mile route! When she came back inside, my 10-year-old looked about ready to fall over, but she was SO proud of herself (and so were we!). It was such a confidence boosting experience for her and the little girls had a great time playing and eating yummy snacks donated by wonderful volunteers!
I've been volunteering with End Slavery TN for about 9 months and have wanted to involve my girls in this amazing abolition work, but have had to be careful as well because the issues around slavery can be graphic and disturbing. The Ride for Refuge was the perfect event for a family wanting to do abolition work together, no matter the age! There was something for everyone, whether it was participating in the Ride itself, helping with registration, food, set-up, trail side cheerleaders handing out snacks and water, you name it!
Ride Day was an amazing and fun morning with fabulous people who care deeply for the vulnerable, exploited, and displaced among us here in Middle Tennessee. Being with such a group was a blessing for our family. The fundraising leading up to the Ride was also a faith building experience. Sixty-seven sponsors from all over the country sponsored my daughters. They shared messages of love and support with my family and for the girls my girls were striving to serve--Girls helping Girls! It was a grand circle of love and hope that touched my heart and showed me "that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” We loved doing the Ride and hope to make it a family tradition!
With Gratitude, The Will and Christy Grigg Family