Early Birthday Present From My Sister (and You)
My sister Jodi arrived from Brooklyn (courtesy of frequent flyer points donated by a Fat Cyclist reader) last night, here to help take care of the family for several days.
Jodi brought a DVD with her — an early birthday present for me. It’s a DVD she — with the help of her husband — secretly put together, after evidently communicating with dozens of you, getting you to send in your photos and well-wishes for Susan.
Both Susan and I thought it was one of the most incredibly thoughtful gifts ever made, and I wanted to share it. So I ripped it and uploaded it onto YouTube this morning. Watch:
Whether you’re one of the people who sent in a photo, one of the people who has sent an email or left a comment, one of the people who has made a donation or bought a jersey or t-shirt, or one of the people who reads anonymously: Thank you. Your support helps both of us.
Comment by Bikerchick_IL | 06.3.2008 | 12:40 pm
Oh man, another keyboard ruined by the puddles inspired by Fatty’s blog…
I loved seeing the faces of your kids and so many loved ones you often reference in your blog. Thanks for making and sharing the incredible gift to us all.
WIN WIN WIN, SUSAN!
Comment by KT | 06.3.2008 | 12:42 pm
Wow, that’s an incredible video.
And all true, and amazing.
Win, Susan!!!!!!!
Comment by Emily | 06.3.2008 | 12:46 pm
Wow, what a cool video, such a great idea!!
WIN Susan!
(but someone might want to alert Homeland Security about that Al Maviva photo..)
Comment by bikemike | 06.3.2008 | 12:47 pm
NOOOO, THANK YOU!
(from all of us, you’re welcome)
Comment by mikeb | 06.3.2008 | 12:48 pm
Real people who really care. There are many more. Thanks Fatty and Jodi and Win Susan.
Comment by Katie | 06.3.2008 | 12:50 pm
Wow! Incredible!
WIN Susan
Comment by Boz | 06.3.2008 | 12:53 pm
Unbelievable is all that I can say. When Jodi contacted me, I jumped out of my chair and asked my daughter if it was ok to include her in the pic. She was only too happy to be included, and reads the blog, too. WIN SUSAN !!!!
Comment by Marty | 06.3.2008 | 1:06 pm
What a great video bring awareness to this fight that many of us are fighting. I wish you luck Susan in your fight and will be thinking of you daily. I invite you to watch a youtube video we made of my sons journey with cancer (youtube livestrongjack). He was given 20% chance of survival over 3 years ago and it playing baseball today!
Comment by Lori | 06.3.2008 | 1:16 pm
I count myself lucky to be a part of such a great community.
WIN Susan!
Comment by ming | 06.3.2008 | 1:20 pm
that is a great video
WIN SUSAN!!
Comment by Gillian | 06.3.2008 | 1:24 pm
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Lisa B | 06.3.2008 | 1:30 pm
(Gar, if you knew how many pictures it took! :))
I had a big grin on for the entire video, it’s awesome! Congrats Jodi, and WIN SUSAN!!!
Comment by Amy | 06.3.2008 | 1:34 pm
I just took a shower. Why is my face all salty? Very cool video…
Comment by Nick | 06.3.2008 | 1:41 pm
This is a bad ass video.
FYI, email me the next time you need frequent flier miles. If I don’t use them on something purposeful, I’m just going to spend them on beer and strippers.
Comment by chtrich | 06.3.2008 | 1:44 pm
Awesome job Jodi! :)
Comment by rich | 06.3.2008 | 1:53 pm
Wow, amazing and emotional video.
Win Susan and Nelson Family
Comment by Ka_Jun | 06.3.2008 | 2:05 pm
Dude…that was awesome.
Yours in struggle and solidarity!
Comment by Grizzly Adam | 06.3.2008 | 2:06 pm
Fantastic! Great job everyone.
WIN!
Comment by Paula Kirsch | 06.3.2008 | 2:22 pm
Fatty, I am one of the people who usually reads your blog without comment, but this time I want to thank YOU. You, Susan, and your whole family, for being willing to share with us what your lives are like. It’s a rare privilege and an inspiration to be able to be a witness to such courage and grace. Oh, and I bought one of the jerseys for my husband’s b-day as well.
Paula
Comment by Su | 06.3.2008 | 2:37 pm
Wow – speechless!!
WIN SUSAN!!!!
Comment by Claudia | 06.3.2008 | 2:38 pm
This is so lovely!
Comment by NW | 06.3.2008 | 2:39 pm
Very touching. Thank you for sharing this with us, your readers.
WIN SUSAN!!!
Comment by Denise | 06.3.2008 | 2:43 pm
Brilliant video! I’m reduced to tears yet again. lol Thank you for embracing us and making us feel like family. WIN SUSAN!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Mocougfan | 06.3.2008 | 2:47 pm
Very well done Jodi. Very well done indeed. Good to see pictures of so many of you other readers. My best to Susan and the family.
Comment by Carla | 06.3.2008 | 2:48 pm
Way too cool!
Win Susan Win!
Comment by Tez | 06.3.2008 | 2:54 pm
Amazing, power in two words!
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by mark | 06.3.2008 | 2:59 pm
It was really nice to take a walk around the fat cyclist block and see some of my neighbors. Thanks Jodi and everyone who contributed.
Comment by Heatherann | 06.3.2008 | 3:02 pm
What an awesome sister you have. The video is beautiful and we will keep chanting WIN SUSAN!!!
Comment by M2 | 06.3.2008 | 3:23 pm
Wow!
Win Susan, Win!
Boy’s don’t cry? Yeah, right…
Pingback by » Touching Fat Cyclist Blog Post BIKE 4 MORE: Energy | Enjoyment | Happiness | Health | Life | Love In: Fresno, CA | 06.3.2008 | 3:31 pm
[...] WIN SUSAN [...]
Comment by Rufus | 06.3.2008 | 3:32 pm
Beautiful! Thanks for reminding me/us how small, and full of love, this world really is.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by highwaymunky | 06.3.2008 | 3:42 pm
Awesome video. Blubbing over my laptop again.
Win Susan.
Comment by kellene | 06.3.2008 | 3:54 pm
Great job Jodi and Anson! It turned out beautifully. I am so glad it was such a sweet surprise. I am amazed the kiddos didn’t say anything when I was sneaking around the house getting pics. of them!
I especially enjoyed Nigel’s comment: “party like a rock star!”
That is the beautiful thing about this family…they embrace and enjoy everyday.
Love to all,
Kellene
Comment by 29er | 06.3.2008 | 4:01 pm
More smiles, more tears. Thanks for sharing.
Win Susan!
Comment by Kristen | 06.3.2008 | 4:07 pm
What a great video! I loved seeing everyone and am continually amazed at how many lives you and your family have touched through this blog. The internet is truly a wonderful tool!(Thank you Al Gore for inventing it :) )
WIN SUSAN!!
Comment by Ronin | 06.3.2008 | 4:08 pm
Wow, that’s all I can say. What an awesome tribute to the fatty fam.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Duane | 06.3.2008 | 4:16 pm
Wow… Fantastic job.
Comment by Mike from Melbourne | 06.3.2008 | 4:22 pm
That’s great ! Thanks for sharing the video. You’re sister is awesome. Win Susan !
Comment by Born4Lycra | 06.3.2008 | 5:01 pm
Brilliant – congrats to the makers.
Comment by Adventure Nell | 06.3.2008 | 5:21 pm
Excellent vid and thank you for sharing. I can’t wait for my Twin Six pink jersey to arrive in BC, Canada, so I can wear it with pride at our local mt. bike park.
Sending prayers your way and WIN SUSAN!!!!
Comment by stuckinmypedals | 06.3.2008 | 5:45 pm
Monkeywebb and I (along with a few friends), rode America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe this weekend. Our team was out for a warm up ride and 3 of us were sporting our pink lemonade jerseys. I received constant comments on the jersey as well as good wishes from other Fat Cyclist fans. It was incredible. WIN, SUSAN, WIN!
Comment by Canadian Roadie | 06.3.2008 | 5:55 pm
Hi Adventure Nell, I know who you are! :) Amazing video, can’t wait to get my jersey up here in “customs must try on all cool-looking jerseys before sending on” land.
Comment by Kim | 06.3.2008 | 6:05 pm
What a great video idea! Nicely done, Jodi.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Clydesteve | 06.3.2008 | 6:24 pm
XLNT job Jodi! Thanks!
Comment by Walter | 06.3.2008 | 6:49 pm
Nice job, Jodi! Win, Susan, Win!!
Comment by John the Lawyer | 06.3.2008 | 6:55 pm
WIN, SUSAN!
As you can see, we’re all pulling for you!
Comment by Jennifer | 06.3.2008 | 7:14 pm
That was beautiful! Puddles on the keyboard here. WIN SUSAN!
Comment by rokrider | 06.3.2008 | 7:23 pm
Fantastic job Jodi! What an wonderful gift of love. Thanks for letting me be a part.
WIN Nelson family
And WIN SUSAN!
Rokrider
Comment by Wine Dog | 06.3.2008 | 7:42 pm
What a rockin’ birthday present. Spectacular job Jodi!
WIN SUSAN.
Comment by SYJ | 06.3.2008 | 7:45 pm
Awesome job, Jodi!
WIN SUSAN!!!
SYJ
Comment by AtomicSpud | 06.3.2008 | 7:46 pm
Wonderful!
WIN SUSAN.
Comment by Mir | 06.3.2008 | 7:58 pm
Your sister kicks ass!
Comment by Don | 06.3.2008 | 8:16 pm
Susan: Thank you for being such an inspiration.
Elden: Thank you for sharing that with us.
Jodi: That turned out AWESOME! Thank you for including me in such a beautiful thoughtful gift. So beautiful it brought me to tears.
God bless…
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Undomestic | 06.3.2008 | 8:49 pm
That was wonderful! WIN SUSAN WIN!!!!!
Comment by Aaron | 06.3.2008 | 9:14 pm
What an incredible video. Great job Jodi.
Your sister DOES kick ass.
WIN SUSAN!!
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 06.3.2008 | 9:25 pm
wonderful.
Susan, Fatty and all of us… Fight!
Comment by Cary | 06.3.2008 | 9:42 pm
Win Susan
Comment by Susan | 06.3.2008 | 10:02 pm
Beautiful. Technology is amazing. Win Susan!
Comment by Sprocketboy | 06.3.2008 | 10:08 pm
I am glad that I was able to participate in this wonderful project, in spite of my pathetic sign-making skills. Thanks for including me, Jodi, and congratulations on the results–very touching!
Comment by Mel | 06.3.2008 | 10:44 pm
I’ve been an anonymous reader and prayer for some time. I’m now sorry that I never wrote previously! I’m envious of those who got to participate in the video. Great idea for a great cause.
Win Susan! Blessings!
Mel
Comment by Jodi | 06.3.2008 | 11:08 pm
Awwww…..Shux guys!
I agree it came out just right….can’t go wrong with this much love. Thank you so much to all who sent in photos, and thanks a million to my husband who worked on it like a crazy-guy.
This is a good thing to be a part of – it is amazing to see it up close.
Comment by SJ | 06.3.2008 | 11:09 pm
Awesome! WIN SUSAN!!!
Comment by bertus | 06.4.2008 | 12:07 am
Great video
WIN SUSAN
Comment by Little1 | 06.4.2008 | 12:31 am
aahhh man, you-tube is saying “we’re sorry, this video is no longer available”, from all the comments i was really looking forward to seeing it. but no doubt it was more brilliant than i could imagine.
awesome to see that the positive love, caring, thoughtfulness etc etc is throughout the extended fatty family!
Comment by buckythedonkey | 06.4.2008 | 1:30 am
That is just brilliant! :-D
WIN SUSAN!
Team, you could put your WIN pics here: http://flickr.com/groups/teamfatty/
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 06.4.2008 | 4:07 am
Thanks Jodi. I’ve heard before that the camera adds weight but I’d never realised how true it was. It looks like the camera added 60 or 80 pounds to me. Maybe it’s not the camera, maybe the photo distorted as it crossed the equator, or the international date line, or something.
Anyway
WIN Susan.
Comment by flossy | 06.4.2008 | 5:00 am
I laugh and I cry when I read the posts and never know which one it will be! Today there were tears but not in sadness. That was brilliant and thanks for sharing it.
Comment by Nina in Ohio | 06.4.2008 | 5:43 am
You are truly blessed with a great family and wonderful friends – whether you’ve met them or not.
Win Susan! We’re rooting for you!
Comment by Pammap | 06.4.2008 | 5:52 am
Awesome video. WIN Susan and Team Fatty.
Comment by Little1 | 06.4.2008 | 6:20 am
yay i managed to get you-tube to play me the video! wow that was an awesome idea jodi thanks for putting this together it really epitomises what fatty and susan mean to us!
Comment by blinddrew | 06.4.2008 | 6:22 am
Great job Jodi,
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by Caren | 06.4.2008 | 6:27 am
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, yet I didn’t think the love and support I’ve read on this blog could ever be captured in pictues. Man, was I ever WRONG!
GREAT JOB JODI!!!
Team Fatty you continue to ROCK!
WIN SUSAN!! WIN NELSON FAMILY!!
Comment by Susan (another one) | 06.4.2008 | 6:49 am
I thought this was gonna be like a poster. The vid is much cooler.
I wish Miss Kitty had been more cooperative.
But she agrees with the sentiment.
Comment by cyclostu | 06.4.2008 | 7:04 am
WIN SUSAN!!! (and that goes for the rest of the Nelson clan as well)
That’s some good stuff. I particularly liked some of the classic FC photos from posts of old.
Comment by Sunnie | 06.4.2008 | 7:09 am
WOW! How touching was that!!!!
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers every single day!!
WIN Susan WIN!!!!!!!!
Comment by EuroJoe | 06.4.2008 | 7:19 am
I only found your blog yesterday through the BSNYC blog. I am so glad that I did, being a fat cyclist, husband and new dad the video really did affect me. I wish you all the best, rubber side down and WIN SUSAN WIN
Comment by leroy | 06.4.2008 | 7:41 am
I’m not crying.
I just, I just have something in both of my eyes.
That was beautiful. Truly beautiful.
Comment by traci | 06.4.2008 | 7:56 am
Thankyou for sharing your life with us. That was a beautiful tribute to an amazing fighter.
WIN SUSAN WIN!!!!
Comment by happy rider | 06.4.2008 | 8:27 am
Inspiring!
WIN SUSAN WIN!
Comment by jsv | 06.4.2008 | 8:33 am
WIN SUSAN!
The video is awesome!!! It is truly an amazing group.
Comment by regina | 06.4.2008 | 8:46 am
first I need a pink paint pin, because I am totally writing on my helmet too. that was brilliant.
Fatty, thank you, that almost felt like watching a family video for me too. my blog family. Al you always make me laugh.
WIN SUSAN WIN SUSAN WIN SUSAN!!! YEAH TEAM!
p.s. thank you too Jodi.
Comment by Karen | 06.4.2008 | 9:33 am
Win Susan!
Comment by carolyn | 06.4.2008 | 9:36 am
So great. So happy. So sad. So great. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Cheryl | 06.4.2008 | 9:52 am
Well…if someone didn’t burst into tears while viewing this beautiful video…I did the crying for them!! So emotional! You and your family are in our daily prayers…praying for peace and comfort thru such a tough time. Susan’s name has been entered into the Columbia,South Carolina Temple.
You are loved!
Stay strong!
Comment by Mike Roadie | 06.4.2008 | 10:10 am
Thanks, Sis……..another AMAZING member of the family.
I have told so many people about FC.com and the Nelsons (not Ozzie and Harriet), and this is another reason why!
Thanks for sharing!
WIN
Comment by Comtnbkr | 06.4.2008 | 10:39 am
Fatty – love the blog, my best to you and your family. WIN SUSAN!
BTW – I think your sister inadvertently solved the mystery of “Who is BSNYC?”. I think it is Joe from Brooklyn!
Comment by Jody | 06.4.2008 | 11:00 am
Great job! What a tribute!
WIN SUSAN!!
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 06.4.2008 | 11:04 am
DOH! Now I realize what’s been nagging at the back of my mind…take a picture to send to Lori.
Great job.
Can some of us slackers still send pics and get on the v2.0 video?
Comment by Tim D | 06.4.2008 | 11:31 am
They say the pen is mightier than the sword.
The photograph/video should be added to that.
It would be impossible to send a more powerful message.
What a world we live in…….
The love your family obviously shares is truly inspiring.
Tim D’s wife.
Comment by traildiva | 06.4.2008 | 11:33 am
Thanks for putting it together, Jodi. Great job!
If Botched gets to send in a slacker pic, I want a retake — “Win Susan” in front of someone who looks like she’s contemplating axe murder on a family of puppies isn’t exactly what I was going for : P
Comment by nibo | 06.4.2008 | 12:27 pm
This is absolutely beautiful. I’ll admit that it definitely had me crying. Should have known better than to watch at work.
Win Susan!!
Comment by Richie | 06.4.2008 | 2:00 pm
WIN SUSAN!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Di | 06.4.2008 | 3:06 pm
Today’s tears were tears of joy. It amazes me to see how many people sent in pictures in support of you and Susan. It touches me that people can be so supportive and compassionate towards someone they don’t even know. Your blog gives me faith in people. God must be smiling. :-)
Comment by BotchedExperiment | 06.4.2008 | 3:31 pm
Sorry. Jodi, not Lori.
Comment by lowrydr | 06.4.2008 | 3:40 pm
What a great video, had to wait to get home to watch it. Work blocks youtube, something about wasted time or sum such thing. Now those darn Alien tear suckers are at my home. Beautiful job Jodi!!!
WIN..Susan..WIN
Comment by Jay Peitzer | 06.4.2008 | 3:46 pm
Damn you all…..I’m crying again….did someone drop a hat? I actually wrote cyclingnews today sticking up for Lance Armstrong. I don’t care if he bathed in steroids….what he’s done since he retired makes up for anything. I have that picture of him hung up on the wall over my desk. WIN SUSAN!!!!!
Comment by Morgan | 06.4.2008 | 5:23 pm
Damn, I love this site, and the Fatty Nation!!!
Comment by steve rooney | 06.4.2008 | 7:10 pm
awesome vid
im wearing my jersey with pride
WIN SUSAN :-)
Comment by gus | 06.4.2008 | 7:15 pm
what more can I say? May the powers that be be looking over both of you and al your loved ones. Peace.
Comment by TNSatellite | 06.4.2008 | 7:43 pm
I couldn’t watch it – said it was gone. :( But I’m glad you’re happy, Fatty! :)
Comment by TNSatellite | 06.4.2008 | 7:46 pm
wait, it’s back! never mind! WIN SUSAN!
Comment by SpikeBlue | 06.4.2008 | 8:06 pm
Bravo! What a wonderful birthday present.
Comment by yoursisterlori | 06.4.2008 | 9:15 pm
Actually I made the video, your kids get their attractive qualities from me, and I am baking a pie.
(Way to go, Jodes and Ans.)
Comment by MOM | 06.4.2008 | 10:27 pm
AMAZING, all of you!
Comment by Pammap | 06.5.2008 | 6:00 am
I like Regina’s idea of pink “WIN Susan” on my helmet. Maybe the TwinSix guys could make stickers/decals that we could buy to help the cause.
Comment by regina | 06.5.2008 | 8:36 am
OOOOOOOO a twinsix sticker. thats brilliant too.
and now to raise a point of order that just came to me. If you are in the video what does this do to your degrees of separation from Lance? you know are you now one degree away, if you were in a position to walk up to him, do not worry I do not expect to be just sayin, and you said Hi Lance I’m regina, lowercase of course, would he reply back regina!(happy to see me tone) WIN SUSAN or would he say huh, then I would say Elden… Fatcyclist, and then he would say regina!(happy to see me tone) WIN SUSAN, so then that is two degrees, because elden is degree… Just asking. for sake of calculation lets just keep kevin bacon out of it. only even mentioning his name because bacon is cycling staple at our house.
Comment by judi | 06.5.2008 | 9:02 am
OMG that was beautiful. Jodi you totally rock for thinking up such a cool idea.
WIN SUSAN!
Comment by steve sax | 06.5.2008 | 9:21 am
so…..I am with Botched on this one. I did not get a picture sent in either, but I would like to. Unlike Botched, I will not send it to the wrong sister.
Actually, I have several to send that make up an amusing sequence. If I do say so myself.
Comment by Rob | 06.5.2008 | 10:36 am
Jodi….what a wonderful gift! Very nicely done.
Fatty….thanks for sharing.
Al Maviva…..classic!!
Susan….WIN!!!
Comment by wendy | 06.5.2008 | 10:41 am
This is Wendy, Jennifer Hadfield’s sister. She sent me your blog some time ago and I am now a regular reader. Please tell Susan she is in our thoughts and prayers as is your whole family. What a wonderful video your sister made. There are so many people pulling for your family. You can add us to the list.
Comment by Accident Prone | 06.5.2008 | 10:52 am
That video was just amazing! Great job! But I’m getting so tired of crying at work…
Thank you again Fatty for the privilege of being a part of this wonderful team. We are always thinking and praying for you and your family.
Win Susan!
Comment by betty | 06.5.2008 | 9:15 pm
I won over cancer, ten years ago.
I want more than anything for you to win too.
Trackback by bet21 com | 07.19.2008 | 10:15 pm
bet21 com
squalls eleventh.extinguish:hellish.implacable eggs,
Trackback by Seconal buy online. | 07.31.2008 | 2:16 pm
Seconal buy online….
Seconal buy online….
Comment by Cherie | 09.10.2009 | 4:01 am
I’m sitting here burning the midnight oil, drinking diet coke with lime (my own idea, not yours ;)), and am on I think my 3rd night of reading through the blog archives. What a sweet tribute your friends and readers put together! I am truly inspired at the variety of ways I’ve read about people showing their support.
Wishing you continued peace and strength,
Cherie
Pingback by seconal buy online | IsmaZorra | 04.22.2011 | 8:00 pm
[...] Fat Cyclist ?» Blog Archive ?» Early Birthday Present From My Sister … Jun 3, 2008 … Trackback by Seconal buy online. | 07.31.2008 | 2:16 pm. Seconal buy online…. Seconal buy online… … [...]