🚴‍♀️ Riding Forward — Letting Go, Loving Life

Today, my son and I rode in Lowvelo, a bike ride to raise awareness and money for cancer research.

I don’t spend much of my time revisiting thoughts about my own cancer survival, but I do realize that I’m one of the lucky ones. And because of that, I try my very best not to take this life of mine for granted.

Today’s ride didn’t make me think about what I don’t have—it made me think about what I’ve let go of.

My blood sugar behaved beautifully (small victories matter!). Before we took off, I fueled up with a small apple, a banana, and one of my favorite go-to workout drinks: a 4.23 oz Apple & Eve Sesame Street Elmo’s Punch Fruit Juice Box—yes, Elmo juice. It’s delicious, and the 4-ounce boxes are a perfect size for steady glucose support. I took a few more along for the ride, plus some fruit sticks and another banana.

Afterward, Swig & Swine treated all the riders to a wonderful spread at the finish line on Isle of Palms. The weather was perfect, the view was pure Charleston, and my heart was full.

Funny thing—I rode the bike I once bought for my ex. My son helped adjust it for me, and as I pedaled along, I couldn’t help but feel that I’d taken back another piece of myself. Turns out, one of the perks of a short ex is a perfectly sized bike. 😉

As I rode, I thought about how much I’ve lost—and how much I’ve gained.

I lost my pancreas, my spleen, my ovaries, and my breasts—but kept my nipples, my humor, and my spark. I’d say I came out ahead. And somehow, through all that loss, I managed to gain myself.

I am better in every way now—healthier, stronger, more alive.

When something no longer serves you—when it starts to hurt you—you have to let it go.

Whether it’s a failing organ or a failing relationship, letting go is not only okay; it’s healing.

Yes, my ex still pokes from time to time, and yes, I once loved him deeply. But I love myself more. I’m happy with my life. Would I have loved if things had worked out differently? Of course. Just like I would have loved if cancer had never touched me. But I’m grateful for what came after—because what came after was me—the very best version of me that has ever lived!

Being single and happy is an option. So is being open to love again, when the time feels right.

Just as technology helps me navigate life with Type 1 diabetes, emotional awareness helps me navigate the heart—its hopes, its healing, its quiet returns to love. I’ll know when it’s time to lean into something new.

At the end of the day, I’m still standing, still learning, still loving.

And yes, sometimes I’m lonely. But never at the expense of my peace, my health, or my joy.

💛 Honey Note:

Life will hand you losses, but it will also hand you handlebars. When you pedal forward, no matter how steep the hill, you realize that freedom isn’t about what you’ve lost—it’s about what you’ve reclaimed.

— Honey 🍯

P.S. With time “falling back” tonight, we gain an extra hour of morning light—just in time to brighten new routines and new beginnings. I’m taking it as a little nudge from the universe to realign my rhythm: an easy early dinner (a small sweet potato with butter and a cup or two of lightly salted edamame), some light reading, and hot tea before bed. After a day spent pedaling through sunshine and gratitude, it feels like the perfect night to rest, reset, and welcome the season of slower evenings and gentler awakenings. 🌅