Things I Need to Say

So, this post is mainly addressed to my mother. I know she worries about all of us kids, but there seems to be one special piece (I think she probably has one special piece apiece for each of her kids) just for me that I would like to talk about.

When I first started riding a motorcycle (yes, another post about them. Get over it), I did not tell my mother. If I bothered to narrow down the reasons why, I invariably arrived at the conclusion that it would cause her quite a bit of worry. I mean, motorcycle accident can be a lot to deal with. However, I won't try to justify the numbers at the moment, because they do little to help allay fears. A number is just a number, they are very hard to take comfort in.

That said, my mother (indeed, my family) has been nothing but supportive of me and my decision to ride. They all know that I don't get on a bike without gear and that I do my best to ride as safe as I can whenever I am out. If there is one thing that has been made readily apparent in my life, my family (anyone I call family) has always been there for me. It makes it even better when they understand that riding makes me happy and keeps the shadows away.

So, I want to say this to mom (and all those others in my family who worry). I promise you that I will never get on one of my bikes without wearing my helmet. I will wear gear appropriate for riding. I will do everything I can to keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up.

I also found a prayer for you to say, if you feel you need to ask specifically (I have adapted it from it's original form):

Dear Lord, as Rory gets ready to get on his bike
keep him safe from harm and let
the other drivers see him as he rides by.
Keep him alert and watchful, don't let him ever fail
to stop and help out one of his own.
Keep his eyes focused in front of him,
show him the signs along the way,
and give him the wisdom to take the right road.
May the angels of his fellow bikers who
have gone before him guard his travels,
for they know the perils of the road ahead of him.

Amen.

Thank you for understanding, mom.