For the Biker

This I received from Missy...a cyberspace friend I have met through Soldiers Angels. She lives in VA. All of the below....true.

I guess if I want to consider myself a 'biker'..then I will say I have done rides to raise money for muscular dystrophy, breast cancer, children with cancer, and many others. 'Poker runs' frequently get organized to raise money for someone who is ill, injured or who has lost a family member...spouse, child. Many times 'the hat' has been passed at our local HOG chapter meeting to help out an employee/chapter member who is ill or injured, or their surviving family members, or maybe the neighbor child of a member. Have you ever seen that group of riders..thousands... who participate in the USMC "Toys for Tots' run? The list could go on and on. So, before you turn your nose up at us, remember what you just read. Someday the hat might just be passed for you or your child.

The days of 'Hell's Angels' are pretty much gone, I think. We don't always need a reason to ride, sometimes it just makes the ride sweeter.

Connie


For the sister of a man who was killed on a bike because of someone else's carelessness, this is especially poingant. My brother was a trained French Chef. He was one of the founders of Baltimore's Ugliest Bartender Contest - which raises money for Children's Charities, he rode for various Children's Causes. He spoke three languages. He was a loving and devoted son, brother, uncle and friend. He supported the troops before it was popular to do so. He rode a Kawasaki Verago. He was killed on Sept. 2nd, 1985 in Waldorf, Md. because someone wanted to save some money and didn't properly light a tow truck. His headlight picked up the truck and he laid the bike down to avoid it, but could not clear the boom. At the traffic trial of the man involved (whom I have forgiven), a Maryland State Trooper said, in my hearing, "All this fuss for a G*d Damned Biker." I have not forgiven the Trooper yet. You may include this in your forward, if you would like. His name was Greg. I still miss him. Missy


THE BIKER

I saw you, hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But, you didn't see me, put an extra $10.00 in the collection outside the store as I walked in.

I saw you; pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But, you didn't see me, playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you, change your mind about going into the restaurant. But, you didn't see me, attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you , roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by. But, you didn't see me, riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you, frown at me when I smiled at your children. But, you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you, stare at my long hair. But, you didn't see me, and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you, roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves. But, you didn't see me, and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.

I saw you, look in fright at my tattoos. But, you didn't see me, cry as my children were born and have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you, change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But, you didn't see me, going home to be with my family.

I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But, you didn't see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you, yelling at your kids in the car. But, you didn't see me, pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you, reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. but, you didn't see me, squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you, race down the road in the rain. But, you didn't see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you, run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But, you didn't see me, trying to turn right.

I saw you, cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But, you didn't see me, leave the road.

I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But, you didn't see me. I wasn't there.

I saw you, go home to your family. But, you didn't see me. Because, I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But, you didn't see me.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE SURE WE'RE NOT IN 'YOUR' WAY.

LIVE TO RIDE . . . RIDE TO LIVE

Author Unknown