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Lots of Hugs for 2002
With the Holiday Season behind us, it's the time for reflection on the
past year and time to make resolutions on what we personally might do in
the coming year to make things better. First of all, the year 2001 is a
year that will always be remembered because of the tragedy in New York.
Along with dates like December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), and November
22,1963 (JFK’s Assasination), these sad days in American history are a
reminder of the sacrifices that thousands of brave Americans have made to
keep this a free land. It's a constant reminder that freedom comes at a
high cost and how we should always remember those brave patriots lost in
battle. It is also a time to remember the families of these heroes and the
price they have paid for our way of life. The bravery of the police and
emergency workers at the scene made me realize that we still have heroes
to look up to, role models who are truly unselfish. Even with the loss of
life during this terrible attack, Americans rose to the occasion and
pulled together as they did in WWII to fly the flag and unite as one
against these terrible enemies. The unity of this country is more apparent
to us now than at any other time in our lifetime and has been a truly
positive response to a dreadful act. It has made us proud to be Americans
and renewed our faith in the American people.
Personally, I had one tragedy occur during 2001. My father passed away in
August. Now, for the first time in 50 years, neither of my parents were
here to share in the Holiday festivities. My brother Alan said it best
when I told him that it felt lonely not having mom or dad to call for a
little advice, or even criticism. Alan said for the first time in our
lives, we are orphans. It sounded a little funny when he first said it,
but I guess I feel a little like an orphan when I can't call my dad to
talk about the Lakers game or how I could teach Shaq to hit free throws.
Or give mom a call to remind her to make that Texas Sheet Cake for
Christmas eve. I also miss hearing my dad tell his old Indian stories
about riding in the fifty's with a hand shift and a foot clutch. I
wouldn't even mind hearing mom rant about how I drive that Harley
"Too Damn Fast". I last heard my fathers voice in August 2001
and that I'll never forget.
The year 2001 is also a wonderful year in some respects for me personally
because of the birth of my new grandson, Preston Neil. He is a handsome
young gent flowing with more joy and love than an old biker like me could
ever deserve. He is truly a reminder that God is good and we are blessed.
When that little guy laughs at his Pop, nothing else in the world matters.
He and his cousins are truly the joys of my life.
I also have been fortunate to get to see my other two grandchildren Kayla
and Brandt nearly every day during 2001 and that has also made this a
terrific year for me and my wife Cindy. We have been blessed with four
terrific daughters that we are very proud of and I am happy to say they
continue to hang out with mom and dad. A couple of them even work with dad
and mom and that makes me a lucky guy.
As for the biker community, I feel very proud of how riders around the
country have stood up to be counted and raised money to help in the New
York City relief efforts. Bikers are real people made up of the best
America has to offer. From all walks of life bikers came together to do
the right thing and I am proud to be a member of this diverse group of
patriots. Riders never disappoint me when it comes to doing for others and
tragedies like 9/11 present opportunities for good people to do great
deeds. Americans everywhere rose to the call and delivered and they
continue to deliver.
As for next year I am continuing work on some resolutions I have made in
the past. I'm a work in progress so I don't always achieve my goals on the
first try so I'll continue to try to improve. First of all, I would like
to continue to spend lots of time with my family. I would like to see my
brothers more often and spend more time with Cindy's sisters and mom.
Second, I am going to spend more time telling them all how much I care for
them, especially my wife. She has been the victim of my shenanigans for
over 32 years and for that she deserves more appreciation than I could
ever pay.
As for my biker activities, I am expanding. I will continue to write about
bikers, broadcast to the biker community on radio, photograph bikers and
most importantly, ride more. I enjoy the brotherhood that motorcyclists
share and the adventure of the open road is the "fuel for my
fire". I delight in meeting new friends everywhere I go on two wheels
and I want to add to this list. I'd also like to add more events to my
schedule and spend more time on the road with friends and my biker family.
My biggest new years resolution of the
year is More Hugging. This may sound a little corny but I plan to spend a
lot more of my time hugging this year. My friends, my family , and the
biker community I encounter will definitely get more hugs from me than
ever before. You see, the year 2001 was quite a year for loss in our
country as well as myself personally. If I learned only one thing this
year, it was that we need to tell everyone we are around how we appreciate
them and how much we care. I wish that I had hugged my dad more. We have
learned as a country that at any moment we can lose friends, family, or
other fellow Americans with no warning and for no reason. Hug the folks
you care about and appreciate. Even a stranger that gives you
encouragement or holds a door deserves your appreciation. So if you see a
slightly overweight, gray-mustached biker with a shaved head at your next
bike night, give him a hug, I know he needs it and I promise he will tell
you how much he appreciates you. Happy New Year Dano
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