Moving in the Same Direction

I ride my bike to work nearly every day. Each morning I pack my work clothes in my panniers, zip-up my reflective jacket, strap on my helmet and head out the door. Every day it’s pretty much the same: Same route, same time of day and same fellow bike commuters on the road.

It’s pretty cool to see the same people every morning, heading year-after-year to their jobs just like me. It’s even cooler now that we recognize each other. It used to be that I’d give these familiar folks a head nod as I rode by. Then I graduated to the two-finger wave and an occasional ring of the bell. Now, nearly 14-years into this familiar routine, I raise myself off of my handlebars, give a full-on wave and holler “good morning!” I’ve also taken to saying “’mornin’” to the folks standing at the bus stops, walking their dogs, and jogging past.

The funny thing is that I don’t know their names, I don’t know where they’re going, but I know one thing: We’re all moving from one place to another, powered by our own energy, experiencing this great community together. I don’t know much about these people. I wouldn’t recognize them without their familiar bike-gear or rain coats or crazy dogs on leash, but I really like them nonetheless. I like them because I get the sense that we share a common value and are willing to work hard to achieve it.

As I rode my bike to work today, I thought a lot about this notion and how it translates to RE Sources. I think of you and our other supporters a lot like I think about those folks on the trail: I don’t always know your names, I don’t know if I’d recognize you without your proverbial rain coat on…but I know you share the same values that we do. You value clean air, clean water, clean energy, resource conservation, public participation, science-based decisions, and you value the laws that protect us from environmental degradation.

I wish I could give each one of you a personal “Good Morning!” just like I share with my fellow commuters. To you I would add “thank you for your support!” Honestly, I thank each and every one of you for sticking with us as we grow and learn, helping us succeed, talking about our issues with your friends, making donations to support our work, writing letters to your elected officials, attending our events, “liking” us on Facebook, visiting our website, taking one of our classes and shopping at The RE Store.

Like the many people I see on my commute, I may not know your name, but I feel your support. I am thankful that you are moving in the same direction with the same set of values that we have at RE Sources.

Thank you.

Crina Hoyer

Interim Executive Director