Somber thoughts remain

Kilo had a last request, to have his ashes spread wide and far. His wife wanted to do this, and reached out to the 27,000 members of VROC for help. Immediately, dozens and dozens of people lined up to help. All across the US and Canada, small portions of Kilo's ashes will be freed to the wind, water, and nature in general. But it is not stopping there. Small packets will be shipped around the world; Trinidad, Japan, Europe, New Zealand. Personally, I offered to spread some of his ashes in Ohio, and also in Australia when I travel there next week.

I am amazed at how quickly dozens and dozens of people stepped up to help Kilo's wife to fulfill his last wishes, surrounding the world. Some have set up a memorial ride to distribute the ashes, others are doing it quietly. A fund was set up to take donations to help out with the mailing and funeral costs.

And even more amazing - I have seen this happen over and over, when someone is in need, in pain, or just running into a rough patch. Most times, it is simple words of comfort and prayers. Sometimes it is volunteering of time or talent, and occasionally money.

Many times, these people have never met. They just know each other through the Internet. Myself, I have only met 30-40 out of the thousands. Next year, one of the largest rallies is being held in Kentucky and I have committed to attend with the hopes of meeting over 100 people I speak to over the net almost nightly.

So my thoughts have been somber as of late. Revisiting what is important to me, to my life. I took a short ride this evening to be alone with my thoughts. There are some back roads out of town that I take sometimes, going into Columbus. About half way is a statue, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I stopped there tonight, sat for a little bit. The statue is in memory of the men lost during the bloodiest war America has ever seen - The Civil War. You can click on the images below and get a larger image.



So tonight, rambling thoughts as I sort through the pain and the joys of life. As always, making decisions that seem to be the right ones. A friend of mine was contemplating what success really meant. Inline with my thoughts over the last few days, I quoted my favorite Greek philosopher, Anonymous [grin]:

"You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often and loved much."

On the passing of Kilo and ChuckB

I have been neglecting Kermit since Angola. A few minor rides, but nothing significant. I took a week's vacation last week, and met up with a few of the VROC members from Canada. I found out that two of our early members lost their lives in accidents, one of which was precipitated by a heart attack. There is a lot of somber talk, of memories, of services for the lost friends. We all take a chance when we ride, some more than others. We take chances when we get out of bed too. It is a sliding scale of grey.

A VROC member posted something that is worth sharing with all that read this blog...enjoy, have a tear, or a smile.

Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effect
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul's Cathedral