As some of you know I have struggles, a lot of which are brought about by self doubt, inability to say no, and the need to be everything for everyone. Yesterday I was in a situation that reminded me, the selflessness while it may cause hard times it often doesn’t go unnoticed from those who’s life you touched.
I ride my motorcycle, a lot. I average around twenty thousand miles a year, most of the time it is my main mode of transportation. It’s better on gas, it’s nice here in NC most of the year, and you never feel so free as when you have the wind in your face and your cares fading into the road behind you. With that being said I have never considered myself a “Biker.”
It’s not that I have a problem with bikers, I know a bunch and I love them like family. There has always been a negative stereotype about bikers that I have tried to separate myself from. I knew the stereotype to be false but worried that I wouldn’t be able to change the minds of others in mainstream culture.
Yesterday I was invited to participate in a charity ride for a biker who had passed while riding his motorcycle. I absolutely adore riding for any reason, but if we can attach it to a great cause I’m in regardless of the time invested, or the cost to ride.
I have been in over fifty charity rides over the last couple years, some for people who I hold so close to my heart and others for people I’ve never met, dealing with things I couldn’t imagine. I can tell you the ride yesterday was different, I realized that even if I didn’t consider myself a biker, outsiders do, and honestly there isn’t a group that I would rather be a part of.
There were over three hundred bikes, more than six hundred people all to say goodbye, thank you, and you are loved to this biker who had touched so many lives. There was no shortage of stories about the impact he had made on so many peoples lives. There were smiles, there was laughter, there were a lot of tears, but there was SO much love.
The motorcycles filled the streets sometimes taking up the entire road for as far as you could see. There were people waving from their porches, standing on the side of the road holding balloons and signs, and people parked to watch as we paraded through the county that this man Loved on so much. It was at this time that I realized what I wanted, where I wanted to be.
I think the most we could ever hope for is to make such an impact on the people in your sphere that they are able to celebrate your life when you’re gone. To be a soul so loved, no matter how long you lived it wasn’t long enough. To also be a person who lived every single day.
When my time comes I want to be that “biker.” I want everyone to be able to tell stories about how I helped, how I made a difference in their life, how I Loved everyone. Lord guide me to do more with what you have given me, to spread your love to people I come in contact with, to be a light in a sometimes dark world.
I love you!!
Thank you “Tinker” Ride Free
bradglenn79 