At first I was just going to post this picture. But then I realized, without the context behind it, it's just a motorcycle. Hence, the not-so Wordless Wednesday. ;)
I received a phone call from my mom on August 7th, 2005. It was a Sunday and probably around 11 o'clock; I was home in my little townhouse in Maryland sewing and watching TV. I never expected to pick up that phone and get the barely audible news that I did - He's dead. Grandpa? No. Dad? Yes.
My dad was a fit guy for 56. He exercised all the time; running, canoeing, martial arts, hiking. He had been mountain climbing with some friends from work that morning when he had just collapsed, and was unable to be resuscitated. They were lucky to be hiking near a husband and wife pair of doctors at the time, who took care of him until the air-lift arrived. But it was still too late.
To this day we're still not really sure what happened. My dad had always been a smoker, but he was working on cutting back. There was no autopsy done because he had never wanted one, so we could only assume it was a blood clot or some sort of heart failure. Regardless of the reason, it stopped time for us that day.
I'll spare you the majority of the details that followed. My dad had always had a motorcycle, a Harley Sturgis. As far back as I can remember I was going for rides on that thing, putting on my white bike helmet, my mom worrying at the foot of the garage while we took off down the road. He rode everywhere on that thing, alone, with friends, everywhere. So after he passed away, my mom didn't have the heart to sell it, so she gave it to one of his best friends and biking buddies.
This was four years ago. My mom got the above photo on her email recently, as well as a note from my dad's friend. He's restored the bike fully and rides it everywhere! He's also been sick, and his family has fallen on some financial troubles, and he said that many times it'd crossed his mind to sell it, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it because of what it was, and who it belonged to. It really warmed my heart to hear that, that he was keeping that legacy going despite the odds.
So the photo to me is wordless. And now it is to you all, too. (After lots and lots of words...;)
Talkabout Thursday will be posted tomorrow! Have a great Wednesday all!! :D
10 comments:
Wow. What a story. Gave me little goosebumps.
Awww... Your mom gave the bike to the RIGHT person. What a touching story. Sorry to hear about your dad, though. My dad passed away when I was only 7 so I grew up "dad-less."
What a touching story.
Oh that is sweet. It's nice to have an item that you can familiarize with a loved one once they pass. That bike, or any other bike like it will always remind you of your dad and you'll always get a smile out of it. :)
thats such a moving story! im glad your mom knew who to give the bike to...it must be a good feeling know that something meant so much to your dad now means so much to someone else :)
That's so sweet and inspiring! Thanks for visitng my blog! I love your title-I love the NC coast! I live in the Piedmont.
awww wow what a great post! There really aren't any words, it's so incredible how you look at an image so differently when you know the story behind it.
That is really sweet of him. We have a Harley too and for some reason there is a lot of love attached to those darn things.
Great post. I'm sorry to hear about your dad, but it looks like he lives on in the hearts of his family and friends.
I'm so sorry to hear your dad passed so suddenly. That must have been devastating.
I'm so glad your mom felt inspired to give the bike to this man. Sounds like he truly was the right person.
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