She sat slouched over on the cement steps leading up to her new house and cried. Her tears mixing with a blotch of red clay smeared on her face. She was exhausted. Mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. It had been nine months since a fire had stolen her previous home. The home that she loved so dearly. The home that held all those memories. The dining room table where the family gathered. Photo albums filled with a lifetime of happiness. Love letters from her husband. Not much, but all gone. Forever. Just gone.
But here it was before her. A new start. Not the same house. A new house. Not a replacement, simply a new beginning. It would never be the same as the old house. Of course. But it would be a start. A foundation of hope. A sense of strength. But her throat swelled shut. She didn’t know what to say. The community had come together. They pulled what little they had. Pennies, dimes and nickels from cup holders and from under couches. And miraculously there was enough. So a home was built. Not a big home. Not a fancy home. Just a home. And what that meant was too much. So she just cried. With tears rolling down her face. Cried.
Bracing herself against the cold cinderblock, she stood up. Slowly, everyone gathered, and we just hugged. In one big circle. Just hugged. There was no need for words. Her smile and tears said it all. The pain and anguish was already subsiding. The wrinkles that creased her brow slowly fading. This was what she had been waiting for. A place to call her own. A place of warmth. A place of comfort. And she got it.
A smile filled her face. A smile filled with love, passion, humility and grace. A smile that screamed “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” She had a home and nothing could take that away. And she cried.
Hey gang! So glad you made it. My name is Nolan Wildfire, I am a 43 year old bachelor looking for love in all the wrong places. I enjoy long walks on the beach and…Alright…kidding…
In 1986, Anne Wildfire, birthed a 7 pound 11 ounce cyclist (minus the bicycle, of course, but probably wishing I came out with a helmet on). Well, that’s a lie. The part about being a cyclist. The truth is I only recently got into cycling (does riding a Huffy when I was younger count?). But none-the-less, she had me, which means I am 23 years young. Before long, I was being pushed on an asphalt parking lot in Pittsburgh, PA by my father, learning the hard way that bicycles have brakes.
After navigating the suburbs of Pittsburgh (currently home of both the Stanley Cup as well as Vince Lombardi trophy!) for the first 18 years of my life on my Huffy-hand-me-downs, I graduated to riding a bicycle called the Tarantula (a Wal-Mart special that will forever hold a special place in my heart), and moved to Elon University in North Carolina for the start of my college career. For four years, I trekked to class, the bar, and back to class on my bicycle, leaving my skid marks (bicycle skid marks) all over Elon’s campus, all while earning a dual-degree in Health and Physical Education as well as Exercise Sport Science. After having been in school for 21 years of my life, it was time to enter the real world…
So I started graduate school at the University of Tennessee, where I am currently earning a masters degree in College Student Personnel and continue putting off getting a job. Having put the Tarantula through hell and back, it dawned on me that at 6 feet 4 inches tall, I have never had a bicycle that fit my frame. Instead, I consistently rode any bike that I found, failing to realize that you look like a clown on a tricycle when riding an undersized bike. So I did some research and craigslist provided me with a XL roadbike. And that’s where I am today, riding a bicycle that fits me. But boy do I miss the Tarantula.
Because the University of Tennessee is soo close to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I frequently find myself OUTSIDE! Besides backpacking, camping and cycling, I recently fell in love with rock climbing and have been testing my skills quite a bit in the Knoxville region. Besides being outside, I enjoy some bluegrass music (just bought a banjo and am in the process of learning), reading (Outside magazine as well as adventure travel books), running and volleyball, and always enjoy some good pranks!
I heard about Bike and Build through my brother, Joe, who was college roommates with Chris Webber. Chris played an influential role in Bike and Build and I figured that I would like to join the cause in promoting affordable housing.
While I have done a significant amount of community service, most recently with the indigenous populations of Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands, I would like to truly get my hands dirty this summer! Whether this means pounding nails or simply having conversations with people about the reality of the housing situation in the United States, I would like to explore more opportunities to get involved with affordable housing organizations!
Having just recently biked 200 miles of the Natchez Trace Trail in Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama, I can officially say that the only thing that I am nervous about is whether or not my bum can tolerate many hours in the saddle. Beyond that, I am just excited to be a part of a group of young people that will bring joy and happiness to countless numbers of families across the United States. Poverty knows no boundaries and I am excited to cross those boundaries.
I can’t wait to begin this excellent journey and meet the wonderful people that this world has to offer! I look forward to forming relationships that will last a lifetime and do my part in helping those that are less fortunate. I am blessed to have this opportunity and am counting the days until it begins!A smile is worth a thousand words and that is why I want to bike across the country in support of affordable housing.
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