Thank you!

Firstly, let me begin with my deepest apologies for such a late update. Unfortunately, other responsibilities took over my life and I struggled to find time to sit to carry on with writing… I did make a start but has no chance to finish... writing has never been my strongest side - I need time and headspace for it… I guess it looked like I have abandoned it all so it really started weighing on me…I haven’t really... Anyways, these were my opening lines a few weeks back... (well I deleted many lines now)

Another September. The month when I turn melancholic thinking about transition…

Sun is moving closer to the Tropic of Capricorn and we wish we could follow. Instead, we must return to getting ready for school on grey, cold mornings. And maybe it isn’t the nicest of transitions but let's remember all the children that would give anything for an opportunity of education.

I am also making my return tomorrow. And I must say it is with mixed feelings. I always looked forward to my first day back. It is when our multicultural team comes together before we head to different schools the following day. It’s always so nice to see everyone. We share lunch together (homemade cuisines from each country) and memories of summer.

This year I can’t help but feel a bit sad about tomorrow... Amani is not going to be there…

And I did struggle… It just wasn’t the same any more…

September is almost coming to an end. And I am getting better adjusting to all the changes. Recent sunny weather helped a lot but definitely good news about Amani brought sunshine to my day. I went to see her last Sunday and it was such a joyful, heartwarming experience. I haven’t seen her since mid-August, before going away. At some point, she was getting overwhelmed with visitors so the number of visits had to be monitored. Hence I was very happy going up to see her again and then overjoyed finding her in good spirits with a big sunny smile. She started pointing at things on a chair to take them off so that I could sit next to her. Then she turned towards me and started telling me things. Still without words but managed to tell me that she is able to move her right leg now. It was so, so wonderful to see and see her being happy about it too. It is so positive she is making her steps towards recovery. She seemed to comprehend anything I was saying to her. Her whole face was so expressive. She laughed at every silly thing I said. Answered every question with yes or no. She kept repeating the word ‘nanda’ and I wonder if it meant anything. Amani speaks 3 or 4 languages so it might be a word from her native tongue. I looked it up and found that it means "joy" in Sanskrit. Sounds good to me as it was a joyful time.

Ah, can’t wait to be able to take her somewhere nice. We agreed today that it is what we are going to do soon. It’s her birthday soon so must think of something special for her as well...

We have been told that we need to be very grateful that Amani is still with us as the brain hemorrhage was very serious. And that we should accept that she might not make a full recovery. I somehow hold to the hope that she will. With only my experience being with her it feels that she is too eager to make this recovery. It might take a long time but I believe that she will get better. Just like Jill Bolte Taylor did. I so hold on to this story:

https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight?language=en#t-228818

My ride seems like a distant memory now but a really lovely one. Again I was so lucky with everything (weather, people, being able to find strength) and I feel so grateful for that. I really wasn’t sure if I would be able to tackle those hills in time I planned. I cycled about 200 miles in 6 days with elevations of 2984 feet on the hardest day and this is my personal little achievement. Sadly I lost my lovely Maja Włoszczowska bracelet but I had another thoughtful gift with me.
 
However, what I am most amazed by, is YOUR big hearts and generosity. £1107!!! Thank you so very much! It’s not easy to raise money… and I wouldn’t be doing it this year if it wasn’t for Amani. Thank you for making this effortless for me. It gave me the energy to continue the ride with a smile on my face.

I am keeping the page open if at any point anyone would still like to contribute. Maybe for Amani’s birthday which is at the end of November. I won’t be withdrawing the money for the time being. At this point I am not sure what would be the best use of them but I am sure with time need/purpose will become clear. I would love for Amani to decide what happens with the money but we will see how the situation evolves. I will definitely let you know what happens with the money.

Thank you very much once again for all your support!!! Dziękuję bardzo!!!

From Cattistock back to Portsmouth (via IOW)

Dear Friends

Another summer, another adventure. I set up a new challenge. I am going to cycle through hilly Dorset, Purbeck and Isle of Wight. It might not be a great distance but not the easiest of terrain. I am sure I will find it challenging but I will overcome it with the thoughts of gratitude for being able to try. However I will still need your support in helping me to raise money for my ill friend.

Only two weeks ago, I found out that my very dear friend had a stroke. The news broke my heart. It was very painful thinking about her on a hospital bed not being able to move or speak. When I went to see her we looked at each other and we couldn’t help but share some tears, but we stopped to remind ourselves that we are both strong and we will get through it. Although we couldn’t communicate with words, I showed her photos of happy times we had together and immediately started thinking about what I can do to help.

Amani has many friends that are visiting and thinking of her. Friends that hopefully feel like family to her, however, no one can replace close family. Amani doesn’t have children or a partner, and her mum and sister live far away, where it is not easy for them to travel from financially or practically. I am not going to share too much personal information about Amani, as I am not able to ask her if it’s okay to do so. What I am going to tell you is my point of view why I decided to collect money for her.

Amani is a beautiful person that has already been through a lot in her life. However, despite the hardship, she didn’t allow her heart to harden. Instead she was always out helping others - friends and in the community. Now she needs our support. At this point I can’t tell (nor can the doctors) how long her recovery might take or what exactly she might need in the future, but surely for quite a while she will require rehabilitation and constant care. There is a support group of friends that will try to do whatever they can to help, but as we know things like that don’t come cheaply. And even if there was some bucket of money from somewhere to cover the costs of care, my thoughts are what about the rest? If there was some extra money it would be amazing to be able to do something lovely for her; like to take her somewhere nice once she is better, or for her to see her ill Mum or her family being able to come over to visit.

So these are my thoughts - to give a little back to someone who has so often helped others, to raise some money to provide the best of care for Amani and for her not to worry, but focus on getting better.

If you knew Amani you would know that if you make plans with her she would say “See you then” and then always add “God willing”. And whether you are a believer or not, the truth is we don’t really know if we will get a chance to meet again the next day…so we must make the most of today. 

Yesterday marked 4 years since I lost my very dear friend Isabelle, for whom I did my ride across Poland three years ago. She will also be in my thoughts as I ride.

Please support me in my efforts by visiting my justgiving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/agnieszka-michalska

For all of you who travelled with me

For all of you who travelled with me for the last 20 days, I would like to say that last night I safely returned home. It has been a wonderful journey. And even though I cycled solo I never felt alone. Even when it was getting dark and I still haven’t arrived at safe place to stay for the night, I felt safe within. Thank you for all your lovely words wishing me a good journey or words of encouragement in hard moments  
 

On the photo you can see two bracelets that I wore on my wrist during my ride as my ‘amulets’. The silver one is made with link from Maja Włoszczowska ’s bike chain that she used in Rio Olympics when she won silver medal along with words from her coach - “Just do your job”. I look at those words whenever I find myself stuck and think I just must do the best I can. The other bracelet has attached Anahata (heart chakra) symbol. Anahata Chakra which means ‘unstruck, unhurt and unbeaten’ is known as the balance point of all seven Chakras. The heart is the organ which is always associated with unconditional love and kindness. As I was traveling through, admiring beauty of places, experiencing kindness of people and animals and remembering all of my friends, I kept glancing at my two bracelets and was filled with gratefulness and kept on smiling. People keep asking me why do I travel alone. It never feels alone to me all things that matter the most to me I always carry with me… in my heart. Thank you!