Giving Thanks

[Tyler]

At this time of the year, I always stop to reflect... here are a few gifts that I give thanks for... how about you?

Life.

My daughter.

A healthy body.

A healthy bike.

Family.

Friendships - new and old.

Homemade chicken soup.

Memories.

Sunsets.

A good job.

Pets.

Dancing.

Laughter.

Super heroes.

Sleeping in (rare but heavenly when it happens).

Music.

I'm sure I'm missing something...

 

[Old Michael]

Life.

 

[madmike2]

A healthy mind and senses.

At least that gives me the ability to experience and appreciate everything you've already mentioned, including riding the "healthy bike".

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

I hope you get to spend it with loved ones, friends and/or family.

I'm thankful for those of you who "stand watch" for the rest of us:

Armed forces, first responders, hospital personnel, service workers (airport workers, power plant workers), etc.

 

[Tenchi]

I have much to be thankful for.

Thanks to Steve for introducing me to FJRForum and some of the finest riders I feel I'll ever have the chance to ride with.

Thanks to those who ride with me, despite my youth and inexperience.

Thanks to those who instruct me, teaching me things I did not know and helping me become more independent.

Thanks to my friends who are still alive and support me in my time of need. I value it more than you realise.

Thanks to those that passed on this year, reminding me that life is short and to live it up. RIP Gavin Kenna especially, amongst many others; you left the biggest mark on my life.

Thanks to my employer for giving me the opportunity to come visit this fine country.

Thanks to those who help me do the things I cannot do on my own.

Thanks to those who open their doors to me, offering to share what they have with me even in this time of financial crisis. I ride my own ride and walk my own walk... but I do appreciate the gesture.

Thanks to all the beautiful women in my life that make sure I have something nice to look at on those gray Seattle days

But most of all...

Thanks to every single person who did something for me when they just as easily could have not done it. Drivers using their indicators; drivers looking left, then right, then bike; the waiters that serve me at the restaurant; the cleaners who make sure that our offices are clean every Monday; the cooks that ensure we don't go hungry at work; all the little people that keep the world spinning and never get any recognition for what they do.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Thanks for starting this thread Tyler. I hope to contribute when I have more time to put thoughts down...

 

[Warchild]

Metallica.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'll try and make this lucid and as short as possible...

Life, family...and the opportunity to ride.

October 18 of this year I had a little getoff that could have been worse if my slide took me into one of the sign posts marking the curve. The bike slid in front of the signpost, I slid behind the signpost. I could have load tested that signpost with my chest. dumb luck. fate. grace...who knows.

Before followup x-rays, after I got back to Wheaton, someone came in to do a blood pressure check...very high (for me) 176/90. Told wifey, she calls our family doc to get me in for a physical. Later found out that pain from the ribs and shoulder had elevated the first value in the BP count. Later tests showed a more normal BP.

Blood tests taken for the physical indicated high PSA. You older guys know what this is about...possible prostate cancer.

my value 2 years ago was 1.3, doctors worry about stuff between 4.0 and 10.0...this value was 41.0. crap.

So I get referred to a specialist, but the doctor says be prepared for what this might be. crap.

Wifey and I leave the doctor's office very soberly...just kinda in a daze. I know some of you are dealing with cancer now or other life ending, curtailing issues...so my little story is nothing but what is a normal everyday thing for you.

I wasn't gonna be able to see the specialist for another week so I went to sleep that night thinking about stuff. You wanna know the stupidest thing...I was trying to consider, not how many months or years I had left, but how many RIDING seasons I have left. Don't get me wrong...I love my wifey and my little family...but I realize now that I measure life in riding seasons, not calendar time.

Wifey and I went to the specialist who strongly believes that I have an infection that is driving up the high PSA count...and not cancer. We'll know in about 6 weeks or so if he is correct...

...until then, and after that point...

...I'll be thankful for life, family, and the opportunity to ride.

I'm sorry if I've shared too much or made anyone feel uncomfortable...but stuff happens and you deal with it the only way you know how.

EDIT- my post was not intended to put anyone in a "downer" in this "thankful" thread. If it does, I apologize. I REALLY am thankful for what I said I am thankful for...plus the specialist's opinion that they believe I have an infection...

 

[Murph]

I am constantly reminded of how good my life is and am often amazed why I am so blessed in every imaginable way. I am not talking about material stuff but about health, family, experiences, and knowledge. For this I am thankful.

EDIT- my post was not intended to put anyone in a "downer" in this "thankful" thread. If it does, I apologize. I REALLY am thankful for what I said I am thankful for...plus the specialist's opinion that they believe I have an infection...

A wise man knows his blessings and is thankful for them.

We'll keep our fingers crossed for you, Mark.

 

[Tyler]

EDIT- my post was not intended to put anyone in a "downer" in this "thankful" thread. If it does, I apologize. I REALLY am thankful for what I said I am thankful for...plus the specialist's opinion that they believe I have an infection...

And I don't think it's been taken in that vein... sometimes life slaps us with a reality check every now and then to remind us of how special each and every day is... I know I've had a few myself... I will keep you in my thoughts for just a nasty old infection that you can laugh about in a few weeks. Rock on, m'friend!! B)

 

[dkbellga]

salvation

a wonderful, loving, hot, smart, practical, awesome wife who thinks I'm a rock star (not braggin, just sayin...don't know how I managed that)

great stepson

my first child on the way - yippee, an old fart with a baby!

coolest bike ever

and spousal freedom to enjoy said bike (see 2nd entry)

great job...for the moment, check back in a few weeks!

a great extended family who all live close by

a history and the consequences of making more good decisions than bad thanks to lots of people who love me

a decent house in a fun neighborhood

uncanny tolerance for a long, traffic-laden commute to work

talk radio!

living in a still-mostly free country

good health

eyesight

mexican food

cops, firefighters, soldiers/sailors/airmen.women, etc

DOT HERO units - it's a Georgia thing, and they are awesome

OK, you get the picture...I am blessed, and very grateful

oh yeah...all my buds on this Forum, especially those who figure out how to do something cool and illustrate it step by step for us late adopters!

happy thanksgiving all!

 

[dkbellga]

WheatonFJR - no reason to apologize for sharing....revealing starts the healing! Plus, how else are we supposed to know to "be thinking about you" winkwink unless you tell us. You've dealt with a lot lately, and we're glad your still here dealing....I hope it remains so. Best wishes bud,

 

[Silver Penguin]

More blessings than I could ever count.

A wonderful husband and marriage of 28 years.

His recovery from a bad wreck, a couple of years ago.

Being able to ride together, both street and sand.

Two great kids.

Not just a roof over our heads, but a particularly nice one.

More bikes and cars than we have time to ride.

Our health.

The ability, and desire to ride.

A job that is different everyday and often very fulfilling (and the paycheck that goes with it).

Pets.

The Internet and it's ability to connect people.

Sunrises and sunsets.

Camping and riding dirt bikes in the desert.

Friends.

And many, many other things that I haven't listed above.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I'll try and make this lucid and as short as possible...
Life, family...and the opportunity to ride.

October 18 of this year I had a little getoff that could have been worse if my slide took me into one of the sign posts marking the curve. The bike slid in front of the signpost, I slid behind the signpost. I could have load tested that signpost with my chest. dumb luck. fate. grace...who knows.

Before followup x-rays, after I got back to Wheaton, someone came in to do a blood pressure check...very high (for me) 176/90. Told wifey, she calls our family doc to get me in for a physical. Later found out that pain from the ribs and shoulder had elevated the first value in the BP count. Later tests showed a more normal BP.

Blood tests taken for the physical indicated high PSA. You older guys know what this is about...possible prostate cancer.

my value 2 years ago was 1.3, doctors worry about stuff between 4.0 and 10.0...this value was 41.0. crap.

So I get referred to a specialist, but the doctor says be prepared for what this might be. crap.

Wifey and I leave the doctor's office very soberly...just kinda in a daze. I know some of you are dealing with cancer now or other life ending, curtailing issues...so my little story is nothing but what is a normal everyday thing for you.

I wasn't gonna be able to see the specialist for another week so I went to sleep that night thinking about stuff. You wanna know the stupidest thing...I was trying to consider, not how many months or years I had left, but how many RIDING seasons I have left. Don't get me wrong...I love my wifey and my little family...but I realize now that I measure life in riding seasons, not calendar time.

Wifey and I went to the specialist who strongly believes that I have an infection that is driving up the high PSA count...and not cancer. We'll know in about 6 weeks or so if he is correct...

...until then, and after that point...

...I'll be thankful for life, family, and the opportunity to ride.

I'm sorry if I've shared too much or made anyone feel uncomfortable...but stuff happens and you deal with it the only way you know how.

EDIT- my post was not intended to put anyone in a "downer" in this "thankful" thread. If it does, I apologize. I REALLY am thankful for what I said I am thankful for...plus the specialist's opinion that they believe I have an infection...

update here...

clicky

 

[beemerdons]

2008: Thanks for riding Death Valley Daze and Devil's Highway with Wolfhound; Thanks, Lord: For my wonderful 12 year old Son Seth and our trip to New Zealand - one day riding a Harley Sportster; Thanks for the fantastic trip with Teerex51 to the Pyrenees - enjoyed so much the time spent with Stef, Orestes, Mek, Caba, Hook and Dr. Bob; Thanks for trip to Jalisco State in Southern Mexico with my Beemer Buds; Thanks, that in thousands of miles with SkooterG in 2008 he didn't crash into me!!!

 

[Niehart]

Thankful that there are a lot of damn fine folks in this forum world!

 

[Patriot]

God, my Savior Jesus Christ, His work on the cross and His ressurection for you and me, and God's Love, Mercy, Grace, and Provision always

my AIW (Angelic Italian Wifey) - great marriage for 22 years Jan 31

my 2 teen daughters and watching them grow to become 2 wonderful ladys

my wonderful Patriot Guard collegues and the folks we serve

my great riding podnas from all over

many satisfying and fun years of motorcycles with nary a pavement incident of any consequence <knocking on my head, knock on wood>

my Church and Church Family

Shelter over my head, Food to eat, lotsa great pets, and toys to enjoy

 

[wheatonFJR]

bump...link in post #13 fixed.

 

[madmike2]

I'll try and make this lucid and as short as possible...
Life, family...and the opportunity to ride.

...................................

Blood tests taken for the physical indicated high PSA. You older guys know what this is about...possible prostate cancer.

my value 2 years ago was 1.3, doctors worry about stuff between 4.0 and 10.0...this value was 41.0. crap.

So I get referred to a specialist, but the doctor says be prepared for what this might be. crap.

.......................................................

...I'll be thankful for life, family, and the opportunity to ride.

I'm sorry if I've shared too much or made anyone feel uncomfortable...but stuff happens and you deal with it the only way you know how.

update here...

clicky

Sorry, Mark. I'll respond "over there".

I know of 2 people who are recovering, one forum member and one family member. There is always hope!

 

[wheatonFJR]

update...sort of... in attached link.

click me