I have ridden all over the united states with my wife on the back for most of the time. I excepted the risks of riding just as I have during scuba diving. I find myself in a very bad situation. My father is 91 and in bad health his mind is clear and sharp but his body is failing him. He does not have years maybe months or up to a year. That said I had to make a choice. I feel that my father is dependent on me I am all he has. If I go down or worse he would be left without anyone. For myself and my wife we except the risks but being my father is in the hospital with not long to go I cannot bring myself to jeopordize my life when he is dependent on me. I plan on taking my bike out of storage and getting it ready but I find it hard to think about riding. it seems we all want to live long lives but after seeing my father the way he is I think I would rather go before the body or mind fails. I don't know why I am writting this except to express how I am feeling. I hope all have a great and safe upcoming riding season

Ron

Ron I am the same way if I go it might as well be on my bike. I have had a good life and at my age I am not worried about going. If I go on the bike I will be doing what I enjoy. I am sorry to hear about your father mine was in a nursing home for some time and when he went it was a blessing.

Ron,first let me say I'm sorry to hear about your Father,I know how you feel as we are the same age and I lost my Father 30 years ago.
With that said,I'll briefly tell you of my situation. I'm not telling this for any sympathy but to let you know you are not alone with those feelings. My wife is disabled and in a wheel chair. She has spinal cord damage and has since 1979. Over the Years it has gotten to the point that since 1999 I have had to do most everything for her. My point is that my Roadstar is my stress reliever and you will need something to take your mind off of things every once in awhile.My wife is solely
dependent on me but she also realizes that I have to have a way to
recharge myself to continue. So I ride. Well I've said enough and I hope
that you will do well in the coming months. And FYI there is an Organization called (The national family caregivers association)
that you might check out on the web. Good luck to you.

Martin
And this forum is also like a family.

Footprints in the Sand


One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
"You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,
"The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints in the sand,
is when I carried you."

'Author Anonymous'

This was my fathers favortie. He passed a few years ago and is missed terribly. Good luck to you and your father. Cheerish every moment.

Ron , looks like some tough decisions are going to be have to be made by you. Death really stinks , and it's really hard when it's someone we love. I'm not going to play the old "You could get struck by lightning" card , because you've already considered your options. You could park the bike out of respect for your father, and take good care of him , until his passing comes, but you well know, that decision is totally yours. Putting your Family first , you will never regret your decision. Besides , if you do sit out a riding season , you can pick it up again later. Sorry to here 'bout your Dad. BB

Cruiser, Im sorry to hear about your father, I would be torn if I was in your shoes also. It took me a bit to answer this post cause Its a very difficult subject to discuss, expecially for you, with some people you have never met, so I admire you for that. As far as hanging up your bike for saftey reasons, we all take risks everytime we walk out our front doors, get in our cars, go to the grocery stores or any thing we do in day to day life. With that said Im sure that you will make the wise decission that best suits you, and what ever it may be Im sure everyone here will be behind you 1000 percent.

BILL


Greysnake,
I know you wasnt looking for this, but I admire you also.......

BILL

I am sorry to hear about your Dad, I think you should be there for Him no matter what, you can always get back on the Bike. You will be glad you did, you only have one Dad, I still have my dad and we get together when I am home and go ride on the weekends even though we had our differences when I was coming up, all of that is in the past now, I am too old to worry about those things anymore. My Wife has Crebral Palsy and I have to help her with things also and it is hard on me and that is why I have my Bike, it is a way for me to get out and have some time for myself and get away from things for a while and clear my mind, we all need that at times, it is a great stress reliever. I am not doing all of this alone, the Man upstairs is helping, always remember that.

I'm a huge believer that we as children have the responsibility and the honor of caring for our parents in their golden years. Just as they cared for us from birth until we are able to strike out on our own. Both of my in-laws came to live with us as they grew frail. They both passed peacefully right here in this house, under our watchful and loving eye.

Was it tough: You better believe it was. Was it worth it: Absolutely. My wife and I know that we were there for them when they were unable to take care of themselves. That fact made their passing a bit easier to take. Both of my parents are still alive and know that they are welcome here if/when the need arises.

So, I understand the exactly this problem. If it were me I know that my first priority would be to family. However having already been in the role of caretaker I also fully understand just how much mental stress, emotional strain and yes, how simply aggravating it can be to take care of one's parents. If you're like any other normal human there needs to be a way to vent these feelings.

Here's what I'd do: Keep the bike. Ride it once a week early on Sunday mornings when traffic is light. Be mindful of your responsibilities to your Dad as you ride. Stay off the throttle and take the curves nice and easy. My motto when I ride is "It's a ride, not a race". That says it all for me. I'm not about dragging the pegs or getting from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time. It's so true when they say you don't see motorcycles parked in front of the therapists office. I think all of us here know exactly why that is.

I'll have good thoughts for you and your Dad as he makes this certain and mysterious transition from this world to the next. Like any good father, our Creator cares for us probably more than we can comprehend. Your Dad will be in the best of hands when he leaves your care. And you'll be blessed for taking the time to do the right thing by your Dad.

Best Wishes,

M7

Some thoughts to live by today and every day…



Please do your very best stay in touch with each other. Give heartier handshakes, let conversations linger. Have an extra coffee or two with your loved ones after those too rare family meals. Let there be an added half hour of goodbye loitering when two or more of you gather. Hug tighter; be generous with your gifts of time, with your love too. I am told that you’ll never see a hearse towing a U-Haul trailer to a funeral, so sacrifice a few dollars earned thru too many hours working away from family and friends. The only things you take with you are memories; the biggest things you leave behind are your legacy, your love and smiles, and the echo of your laughter. Make sure they are bountiful and always fresh and recently replenished.

Please take good care of yourself, take one more walk and have one less drink or cigarette. All of you are needed, and we all seem to need more of each other more than ever before. I Hope we can love one another more deeply, be sincere in our greetings and farewells. I pray that Christmas and other faith filled days can see a return to their roots – and linger past the designated days. If someone crosses your mind; find them, call them. There are reasons for those thoughts and memories returning to us. Follow through. You can never make up for time lost once someone has gone on ahead. And always part on glad terms, just in case that parting with another ends up the last that either you or the other is left to live on with. Go on by leaving folks with a hearty hug, rather than a scowl and a grudge.

Mr. Breeze

hey cruiser i hope your father gets better and y'all cherish every moment you guys have left! we dont realize just how much we love our family and friends until we lose em!

as far as ridin tho, i understand completely! i just walked away from a crash a month ago and had several people tellin me to give it up, especially my wife!! i am only 26 and cant imagine never ridin again so i've decided to give it another go, but to always wear protection. i told my wife that i have way too much more life to look forward to, and no moto in it makes it bleak. i love ridin and enjoy the fellowship with ridin buddies. but my wife has said that she doesn't want to ride anymore, she never really enjoyed it that much anyway!

i guess it just comes down to everyone's different situation. i am so young that givin it up now would make me miserable, but i am certainly concious of the fact that my life can come to an end at any moment on my bike. i'm just livin right now!!

dont know your religious preferences, but i myself have prayed a lot about my dilema. maybe our lord Jesus Christ has the answer!! Good luck man!!