Motorcycle Therapy
2009 has been a trying year to say the least. I feel like the old Shleprock character from the Flintstones, having the ever present rain cloud above my head no matter which way I turned. There has been a deluge of bad for me and my family so far this year that started in February. My wife’s grandmother passed and while dealing with that my mother went in for back surgery. While recovering from the surgery, my father went into the hospital for diabetes related complications. Here we are nearing May 1st and he is still in the hospital, two surgeries later, with only one leg remaining and many months of rehab ahead.
Through it all, I have managed to keep moving forward. I have experienced up days and down days and friends, faceless and not have helped me along. The motorcycle community on Twitter has been a constant inspiration, always stepping up to ask about today’s situation and offering words of encouragement. This from people I have never met. And of course, friends that I see every day ask how things are going as well and our family stays together which helps too.
But, there are also times when I want to be alone, that time where you want to forget about it all even if but for a very short time. It is those times that I believe, we, as in me, you, and our motorcycling family, turn to our motorcycles to find solace and bring us inner peace. Every twist of the throttle takes us further away. The thoughts and problems that are causing us concern dance away as we lean into every curve. Soon we have a clear mind as we just enjoy the graceful moves of the motorcycle and feel the wind in our faces and enjoy the smells of our surroundings.
I have found few things in this life that provide me with true peace and clear my mind and soul. My motorcycle is at the top of that list.
Ride Safe
Tags: flintstones, motorcycle, motorcycles, peace, schleprock, twitter
April 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
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May 12th, 2009 at 8:23 am
I can relate to your thoughts of just needing to be alone and getting away. My father passed away several years ago, before I became a rider myself. I found solace and comfort on the back of Dennis’s bike. He manuvered the bike through the twist and turns of the country roads while I sat back, cried, and smelled the fresh scent of mowed grass, blooming flowers, while watching God’s wonder all around me. There is much to be said about a ride through God’s country to help ease the pain.