What an amazing experience this was. I find it hard to put in to words. I have met so many nice people on line and in person. I feel great inside, I think I am as happy as I ever have been. I hadn't counted on feeling so good inside, I was a bit suspicious of it.
The last day I picked up Craig's sister Joyce and we road to her son Marc's house in Salisbury MD. It was about an 80 mile ride for her(she's a first timer) She did well.
I was to ride the last 30 miles or so all buy my self. It was kind of lonely once I got there, no flags waving no ribbon to cross. I just had a few moments to my self on the beach, thinking.
Later on I was met by her son Marc. He's a nice young man, imagine this; a 21 year old man with plenty of other options I'm sure for a Saturday night. Wants to take time out after working all night to meet some old dude who once was a friend of his uncle Craig. That's how much they loved this man. Willing to show up and meet this total stranger just to have a beer and talk some about our memories.
Just a short word about this helmet, Craig had painted this helmet for Joyce at about age 16. We strapped it on the bike on our way to Salisbury.
So its over the ride, now just gotta turn around and start heading west.
I really don't have much else to say. I wasn't alone and I realised that this wasn't just about raising dollars and cents. I told a story about friends and family and how at any moment the ones you love can be snatched away from you. I realized that this ride was for his family, some one willing to take the time to call attention to this life changing illness. All I really did was ride a motorcycle but in the end I learned a lot about my own life and how grateful I am to be alive.
No comments:
Post a Comment