I’m thankful for a second chance.
Riding Appreciation
One of the first things I thought about after my heart attack was whether I could ride again. I worried about my wife and kids, the dogs, friends, work and all the things that make up a life. In regard to riding I was worried about myself. Riding the Vespa is not a hobby or recreational outlet. It’s a critical aspect of maintaining sanity in a crazy world.
I get irritable if I don’t find road time with the scooter. If pressed, I consider it a spiritual act. I’m thankful that I have a second chance.
Braved the cold this evening for a Vespa ride to see the new Triumph Bonneville Street Twin motorcycle. Kissell Motorsports, Purple Lizard Maps and Rothrock Coffee sponsored the event. All I had to do was show up.
Growing Gratitude
Watching a father and son (I assume) looking at the bike I thought about how fortunate I am to be standing here witnessing everything going on around me. I started thinking of all the things I have to be grateful for.
Carolina wrens were singing as I walked through the snow with Junior and Lily in the morning. It’s a privilege to listen to such fine song. Having two fine canine companions is a gift. Being able to walk is a joy. Looking around at my life I have so much to be thankful for that it’s easy to neglect things — big and small.
My wife Kim continues to shine a light on paths I would not otherwise know. Friend and family enrich the trip just by being themselves. I have a roof over my head. Hell, there are chocolate chip cookies in the cupboard right now.
Waiting.
Who Are You?
My infant granddaughter promises challenge, excitement and joy. I’m already planning her riding safety training. Her mother just laughed.
The night draws to a close and I feel my body leaning toward temporary oblivion. And as the last thoughts fade, surely one of those thoughts will acknowledge the gratitude I feel for the life I’ve been given.
With a nice pair of saddlebags that Street Twin would be a good companion for you Steve. You could stretch out out your World and do Creative Writing about things further afield. I bet it would do dirt and gravel better too. Just a thought. You only live once.
“O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever.”
I’ll have to look a bit closer at the Street Twin once the wear breaks. I’ve always like a Triumph motorcycle of one form or another.
I have been having similar thoughts Steve. Each day distant memories come up of scenes that I have scene or been in and I realize “that was me, I was there, long hair and all”. As I have been around longer than most people I interact with during the day now it’s fun to reflect on what I recall with others to see if they were there and remember the same.
Memory is a funny thing. Even when others shared the time space sometimes it’s weird how different the memories are.
Steve, like you, I suffered a heart attack last year – we are about the same age and seem to both have similar hobbies: photography & scooters. I thoroughly enjoy reading all your posts, as they seem to mirror myself, down here in Florida. I understand so well. One of my first concerns after recovery was to know when I could ride again. I had to wait two months b4, but it was well worth it, as I seem to enjoy and treasure riding all the more now, and you seem to validate everything I do, too. Keep on riding my friend!
Thanks for your kind words of support Roberto. I hope you continue to do well yourself with your recovery from the heart attack.
Like you, riding is a treasured experience that I appreciate now more than ever. I hope the weather holds clear so I can venture out over the weekend.
We all have so much to be thankful for – great post!
Indeed!
Again, you write what I wish I thought of writing about, but in a way that I never could. I’ve had the same feelings about the joy of life since the cardiac episode in September and my new found appreciation for still being on the planet.
I admire your ability to convey feelings, Steve. You do it remarkably in many of your posts, but particularly in these recent days when you’ve been back to writing daily. It’s as if every word was well thought out and mulled over for days before being added to each of your sentences. I’m grateful that you do this sharing of self here. It’s heartening in way that goes well beyond “mere” cardiac health!
-Joe
Thank you Joe. I don’t have words to acknowledge your comments. I’ll just keep writing and hope I hit the target every now and again.
Great reminder that we need to appreciate the good stuff in our lives and not dwell on the crappy stuff we probably can’t do anything about.
I am trying to embrace that which is in my purview and makes me happy and ignore stuff I cannot influence or change. Not watching the news helps.
It’s all about one’s perspective eh?
I think a lot of times my attitude toward things affects my perspective. Just hard to process sometimes.
I love the photos of Emma. And there is our moto gang. Everyone has a red cup.
I wouldn’t have know that was me ‘cept for the bright yellow hat (that replaced my bright orange hat that got greasy).
I wondered where the orange hat went!
Happiness doesn’t make us grateful; gratitude makes us happy.
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/happiness-doesnt-make-us-grateful-gratitude-makes-us-happy/
Thanks for the link. Interesting blog and story.