My worst nightmare...
I have a brother Doug's age who owns a Harley, he's my mentor, the roots to my tree and just a generally awesome guy all the way around.
He's the guy who worked the Texas oil business back in the 70's.
He turned me on to rock and roll when I was a five year old taking piano lessons. He turned me on to Leon Russell, who has become a lifelong gem in the little treasure chest of things I am grateful for every day.
He helped to shape my early political awareness, even though the two of us have now gone in somewhat different directions.
And he rides a two wheeler, in a land of somnambulent four wheel drivers who are involved in picking their nose, applying makeup, texting, reaching back to slap unruly kids, talking on the phone, or any of a million things which can spell disaster for a biker.
It's why I chickened out very early as a would be bike enthusiast.
I love them in a mechanical sense, I envy the free feeling you get from them, I admire their beauty, but you'd never catch me riding one in traffic.
Doug, I pray you are going to be okay, I pray that you recover quickly, I pray that your family is around you and that you're awake and cursing whoever or whatever caused this mishap, (in between jokes and hugs)
I pray that the damage to the bike is salvageable, and I pray that you are not going to be financially destroyed by this via a health care calamity.
I'd never tell someone else not to ride a motorcycle, but on a personal level I just do not trust the loose nuts behind the wheel on the roads to see me on a two wheeler when they barely see or hear something their size as it is now.
But for your sake Doug, I hope that you get to go back to the slice of life that makes you happy, and if that involves your motorcycle, let it be the thing that makes you whole again.
