I found my fathers’ handwritten testimony. I could not decide if I wanted it posted on here. I remember him speaking it in church many years ago. After some thought, I decided he would want the world to see for themselves what God has done in his life. I also found other handwritten passages by him. Some of them include:

- “Never let your happiness depend on your possessions. You will be disappointed every time.”

- “All glory to HIM who saved me!”

- “Don’t be idle.”

Below are his words written around the age of 30.

~ Sheri

I am not hear to glorify myself but the Son of God.

Though ashamed of my past, it adds to Gods glory. Before I became a Christian, I was a very sinful man. I was constantly drunk and heavily involved with drugs. I was a liar, an adulterer and a thief. Stealing was a big thing for me. I did it to get money for liquor and drugs. I also enjoyed the challenge of stealing and the victory when I got over on someone else. I had felonies, accidents, 3 DWI’s, and many brushes with the law. I felt sorry for myself. I judged others, always looking for imperfections in other people, rather than their good points. I had a poor opinion of myself and had little will to live. I was lost.

Years later, this lifestyle lost glamour. My body was ready to give out. 10 years of steady drunk – alcohol had a firm grip on me. I was scared of death. I was overweight, had chest pains, tired a lot, stomach hurt all the time, I had an accident at work and I was sober for 2 weeks. My body craved and it was sheer terror. I felt very empty.

Death was near with eternal destruction following.

I decided I wanted to end this unfulfilled life I was suffering. I prayed to God for help with my addiction problems, but I didn’t want the help to cost anything. I still wanted to go about sinning. I wanted deliverance from sorrow and problems, but not from sin.

Then one night, two Christians came to my house. They told me Christs’ love for me is so great that He willingly died on the cross in my place so that my sins would be paid for and my unworthy soul could receive the precious gift of eternal life.

By the grace of God, I am a completely different person. With Gods help, I have had no drugs or alcohol. The addiction was a big struggle, but it got easier. I feel a thirst to learn Christs’ teachings and put them into practice in my everyday life. I enjoy Christian fellowship. I try to put my fellow mans needs before my own. I gave my life to Christ. With Gods help, I began building on a new foundation. My whole attitude has changed by the grace of God. My problems no longer overwhelm me. My life has purpose. I am found!

It’s been almost a year since I accepted Christ. I no longer feel sorry for myself. I have an abundant life. He has started a good work in me. I am confident he will keep working in me until He takes me home to live with Him forever.

Mark Schaumann

Here are some photos from yesterdays “Ride of Silence” in Newark, DE. There was a good amount of riders and the weather was wonderful.

Ride of Silence Ghost Bike

Michael and Carl

For one hour, bicycles owned the road

Carl Schaumann

Over to your right, you will see I posted a new link entitled, “Marks Favorite Songs”. Happy listening.

Soon I will have some pictures from the “Ride of Silence” that is taking place later this month.

Today I drove all the way out to the site where my Dad was struck just to observe and stand in the surroundings. I was sad, but I wanted to be there. I would really like to put a cross and some flowers there so others are aware.

With that being said…

The “Ride of Silence” is a worldwide event held at the end of May. It is a silent 10 mile bicycle ride to honor the cyclists who have died from being struck by an automobile. It is not a race. It’s a slow paced ride (under 12 mph)

I would have to train pretty hard to ride 10 miles, so I am unsure if I’ll participate, but I will definitely be there to support. There are no fees for entry. The closest one to me will be in Newark, DE.

A huge thank you to Carl for telling me about the ride and the website.

I submitted Dads picture, website and information to the webmaster and he wrote me back and said he would be honored to include him in the memorial database. Here is the link. http://www.rideofsilence.org/memoriam.php#letter_S

Tonight we number many but ride as one
In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons
With helmets on tight and heads down low,
We ride in silence, cautious and slow
The wheels start spinning in the lead pack
But tonight we ride and no one attacks
The dark sunglasses cover our tears
Remembering those we held so dear
Tonight’s ride is to make others aware
The road is there for all to share
To those not with us or by our side,
May God be your partner on your final ride

The idea was that I was not going to continue updating this website. I felt I said all I needed to say in the last post, “On a bicycle in Heaven”. I wanted to leave the blog as my Dad left it. However, the plan has changed….

I ran across some documentation asking me to continue this website. I feel honored that I was selected and I will happily oblige.

My writings would not be nearly as interesting as my fathers, so I will make this site a tribute to my father. There is so much to say about him. I would love to hear your thoughts and stories.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, check out my Dads previous site (2004 – 2007)  http://boanergess.xanga.com/

I will start things off by posting some pictures. Please check back often for updates.

~ Sheri

My name is Sheri. I have some sad news to share with you all.

My father, Mark, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 12th 2009. He was riding his bike as he loves on April 3rd and was struck by a car near his home here in Maryland, USA.

Referring to him in the past tense seems so wrong. How can a person so full of passion and energy leave us so quickly? Although, he will be missed terribly, I find peace knowing he is with the Lord and rejoicing. I would like you all to remember the way my Dad was during his time here on earth. He was patient, kind, caring, forgiving and lived his life to serve the Lord. He was a father I can be proud of.

My father wrote me a letter 10 years ago, when I was 18. He wanted to give me some advice for surviving the world on my own. I would like to share some of his thoughts with you:

- Pick a dream and follow it, no matter what others say.

- Be reluctant to borrow. Just be happy with what God has provided for you.

- Remember who your grandfather and great grandfather are. They are diligent men who take pride in everything they do. That same blood runs through your veins.

- Do everything you can to prevent racism.

- Don’t gamble.

- The best things in life are not always things you can see and touch.

- Take your time when approached with a decision. The consequences could be severe and impact your life drastically.

- Live as Jesus lived.

I think this is advice we could all listen to.

~ Sheri

* Before he began this website, he posted his writings and pictures (2004 – 2007) on another site. If anyone would like to view: http://boanergess.xanga.com/

Mark D. Schaumann, age 51, of Elkton, MD, died on Sunday evening, April 12, 2009, at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE. He had been bicycling when he was hit by a car on April 3rd and critically injured.

Born in Wilmington on March 12, 1958, Mark was the son of Erik J. Schaumann and Annette Ely Schaumann. He was an avid cyclist and had ridden in Thailand, Mexico, and Guatemala. He worked hard at perfecting his Spanish so he could communicate as he traveled. He loved to share his experiences with people around the world through the blog he maintained. He was active in his church, Heritage Presbyterian in New Castle, and he loved to spend time with his grandson. Mark worked as a mechanic at Basell in Elkton for many years and, at time of his death, at Union Hospital, also in Elkton.

In addition to his parents of Pike Creek, DE, Mark is survived by his daughter, Sheri Dodson, her husband, Michael, and grandson, Michael, Jr., of Perryman, MD; brother, Paul Schaumann, his wife, Vorice, and nephew, Paul, Jr., of Rising Sun, MD; brother, Carl Schaumann, his wife, Beth Renzulli, niece and nephew, Cleo and Leif, of Warwick, MD; sister, Lisa Rogers, her husband, Chris, and nephews and niece, Wilson, Erika, and Perry, of Woodstock, GA; and his dear friend, Yanick Schaumann.

A celebration of Mark’s life will be held at 11 am on Friday, April 17, 2009, at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 140 Airport Road, New Castle, DE, where visitation will begin at 10 am. Interment will follow in Head of Christiana Cemetery, Nottingham Road, Newark, DE.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Heritage Presbyterian Church, 140 Airport Road, New Castle, DE 19720; or to Happy Life Children’s Home, Inc., c/o Rev. Jim Powell, at the church address.

DAD – YOU WILL FOREVER BE MISSED

1958 – 2009

I LOVE YOU

She was going to be an actress and with that end, rode the subway to The City once, twice, sometimes three times a day. With her portfolio tucked under her arm she eagerly pursued the leads she had and sought new contacts. The portfolio had many photos of her, she was a beauty with a stunning figure; but the photos failed to capture the sparkle in her eyes. Her eyes were alive and brimmed with possibility. The odds were against her, many people come to The City seeking fame and the majority go home bruised and defeated. But she had vigor and a belief that something was out there especially for her and this motivated her to follow each lead to its end.   The day arrived when she was selected for an “extra” role in a popular television series.  It wasn’t a speaking role, but it was a start. Each night the series aired the whole family gathered around the television in the Brooklyn tenement. They were an immigrant family; and the patois flew about the room in anticipation of seeing one of their own on the screen. But the show never aired. As the years passed, she scaled her aspirations back, but she still dreamt.

Her dreams came to an end with me. My fault or not, she stopped dreaming. 

 I haven’t seen her familiar face in a while; however when we talk on the phone I sense that the sparkle is gone from her eyes. The dreams are gone, replaced with routine, and a struggle to survive.

Sometimes it is sad how things end up.

You see, she was going to be an actress.