14 Comments
User's avatar
Steve Harvester's avatar

I’ve asked myself why I wave to every biker I meet on my bike hikes. Some smile and wave back, some don’t. At any age I like to hear “Hello in there!”

Expand full comment
Priscilla Merrill's avatar

I still laugh at my response to unreturned waves. Seinfeld moments! Waving from NH to all of my beloved cousins.

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

So true - Thanks Steve. I think some people are just into the "connection thing". And for those that don't return the wave, a myriad of reasons come to mind and on a good day, I beam "up" a prayer on their behalf. Happy people usually return the wave be it on a motorcycle or a bicycle.

Expand full comment
Joelle Lewis's avatar

I wave to everyone; it's such a tiny action that communicates everything.

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

AND - thank you so much for restacking

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

Thanks Joelle - "A tiny action that communicates everything -" So True

Expand full comment
Priscilla Merrill's avatar

I can't hear that song without tears flowing. I had the honor of hearing John Prine 4 mos before his death, 11/19 in Concord, NH. I miss him!

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

Wonderful that you got to see him - he was such a gift and certainly heard a different drummer. Very refreshing. Coming out of a 22 year old, it said so much about how he was paying attention. Thanks Priscilla

Expand full comment
Kim Van Bruggen's avatar

I had never heard of the volunteer cycling group until a week ago--at our Canada Day parade. My neighbour coordinates it. I’m going to be a volunteer cyclist once the next training session roles around. And now

I’m going to call my step dad. That song made me cry.

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

The program seems to be a great opportunity on both sides. I'm glad you're gonna sign on AND that you recognize that "Hello in There" has a wonderful and enduring message that actually translates into action. That's about the best I could hope for. Thanks Kim

Expand full comment
SusanA's avatar

I have always loved Hello In There, thanks for reminding us of it today. As "they" say, growing old isn't for sissies. Invisibility increases with age. It can be pretty discouraging if we allow ourselves to consent to being invisible. We don't have to consent! Another John Prine song that addressed old age was The Dutchman. I love his lyric "long ago I used to be a young man, and dear Martha remembers that for me". Poignant!

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

Thanks for your comment Susan - and I couldn't agree more about the consenting to go invisible. I don't remember the Dutchman but I will certainly have to check it out - WHAT A GREAT LINE! and the sign of an enduring relationship where both partners are "fed"

Expand full comment
SusanA's avatar

Thank you. I got it wrong about who wrote The Dutchman. It was written by Michael Peter Smith, and made "popular" by Liam Clancy, Brendan Grace and Steve Goodman.

Expand full comment
Mark VanLaeys's avatar

I just listened to the version of "the Dutchman by Michael P. Smith and it's another rich song about true love and aging. Most of us go through the aging process for better or for worse, but those who are loved through most of it are truly blessed indeed. Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment