Cherish

Carry On (37)

"Carry On" -- Fun.

Cause we are

We are shining stars

We are invincible

We are who we are

On our darkest day

When we're miles away

So we'll come

We will find our way home...

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Jaden and Nina had managed to find nine friends and family members to take part in the prayer, which held a total number of fifteen people. Holding hands, they formed a perfect circle along the grassy area near the merry-go-round. However, it took some minutes for the group to figure out who would clasp hands with whom. It didn't matter to most who they held hands with, but just about everyone sensed the tension between Mackenzie and Sharon, which might not have been there or so apparent had the latter of the two not seemed so close to Sierra. How did they get so chummy so quickly?

Avoiding eye contact, Mack ended up between Jaden's dad Kevin and Riley who started to flirt until he caught on that he was the incorrect gender. His eyes roamed around the circle as he silently counted. Ten gorgeous women in this group (even Jaden's mother was a hottie--older hottie but hottie regardless) and half of them were lesbians. Might have been six, but the jury was still out where Nina was concerned. What a shame for him. Riley smiled to himself. But what a delight for other women who played for the same team. He always tried to locate a silver lining.

Before Nina started the prayer, she suggested that everyone briefly introduce themselves (full names, where they were from, why they were riding or volunteering...) since Jaden and Georgie were the only people in the group familiar with the other thirteen. She began and then tagged Vanessa who stood to her right. After Vanessa introduced herself, Georgie, Jaden, Maxine, Heather etc. followed until they finished with Sharon about ten minutes later.

Asking that the group bow their heads, Nina inhaled deeply before beginning, mindful of keeping her soft voice loud enough for them to hear. "Lord, we thank You for our being able to gather here on this beautiful November day. We thank You for the kind-hearted and generous nearly two thousand people participating in this event, whether they be volunteers or riders like most of the individuals in this group.

"The main reasons for the Spirited Saddlers Ride are to raise money to provide medical services for those who are less fortunate and living with HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness and education. Lord, we pray that a cure will soon be discovered so that HIV/AIDS can be eradicated. So many lives...too many lives have been affected by and ended much too prematurely because of them. We pray in particular for Eduardo Torres and Evan Morrow, two beautiful people who were called home at such young ages. Although they are missed and loved by so many, we are aware that they are now in Your tender embrace, that they are no longer afflicted, that they now have everlasting happiness and peace.

"Please keep everyone safe during their 470-mile journey in automobiles and bicycles to Las Vegas. This most imperative journey will be challenging at certain points so provide them with strength to continue when they are feeling weak. Give them faith when they believe that they have come to an impasse. Give them courage when fear makes itself known. When their minds are riddled with negativity, help them to focus on the positive. Please guide them to remembering why they are here in the first place and that through You they can and will conquer anything. In Your name we pray. Amen."

Concerned, Georgie leaned against a tree while observing her partner as she polished an already gleaming blue helmet with a handkerchief, which had been in her fanny pack. If Jaden continued to rub it much longer, the paint might begin to wipe off onto the currently white cotton cloth. Unable to take it any more, Georgie gently pulled the handkerchief from the busy fingers as she asked the other woman if anything was bothering her.