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Day 2 January 6
Cindi Martindale
submitted by Patti O. and Linda D.

Today's ride is for Cindi Martindale. Breast cancer, appearing to be gone after a double mastectomy, only lay sleeping and suddenly awoke in her liver. She died quite unexpectedly but quickly.

Cindi Martindale was one of rare individuals that was, as we like to call it, "real". A recovering alcoholic with 18 years of sobriety, Cindi extended the hand of AA and friendship to many, many lives. For those of us who had the privilege of sharing the journey with her, she made us laugh at ourselves when life felt just a little too hard, and she shared freely with others her experiences, which always made us laugh.

Cindi's creativity, humor, passion, sarcasm and love touched each of us in a special way. Countless men and women, me among them, made it through one more day because Cindi could help us find light in the darkness. She was our friend, sponsor, confidante, inspiration, comic, dream interpreter extraordinaire, therapist, and story teller. She touched each of our hearts, and we miss her.

Rosemary Ebos
Submitted by Lesley Carlberg

"Cancer" is such an ugly word. Doom. Plague. Condemnation. A long drawn-out, agonizing and afflicted death. These are images that come to mind when I hear about someone having cancer. But when my mom, at 52, was diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago, I couldn't bear to think about anything so pessimistic. Only words of hope, life, and victory were allowed to enter my mind.

During her treatment, I felt like I was living on a different planet. We couldn't believe that it was happening to her. We were all in a daze. Mom's cancer was difficult to talk about and she didn't share too much with us because she didn't want us to worry about her. She was very frustrated but she never let it affect her in a negative way. And I guess we wanted to avoid the whole question of her mortality.

I don't think any of us wanted to believe that my mom was really sick nor that she might even die. She's supposed to be the one to take care of us. And thankfully, with the lumpectomy, radiation and chemo therapy, she beat the disease.

I'm so fortunate that I still have my mom. She gives so much to people all around her and especially to me. You might think she is an angel. And God gave her back to us.

Mom, how could I live without you? I love being able to talk to you all the time. I am so privileged having you so close to me, being able to share our life together. Everyday I am grateful for that. I love you.

Cindi Martindale

Rosemary Ebos

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