News | Articles | Motorcycle Event Reviews | Monster FAQ | Monster Recipes

Lots of Hugs for 2002

With the Holiday Season behind us, it's the time for reflection on the past year and time to make resolutions on what we personally might do in the coming year to make things better. First of all, the year 2001 is a year that will always be remembered because of the tragedy in New York. Along with dates like December 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor), and November 22,1963 (JFK’s Assasination), these sad days in American history are a reminder of the sacrifices that thousands of brave Americans have made to keep this a free land. It's a constant reminder that freedom comes at a high cost and how we should always remember those brave patriots lost in battle. It is also a time to remember the families of these heroes and the price they have paid for our way of life. The bravery of the police and emergency workers at the scene made me realize that we still have heroes to look up to, role models who are truly unselfish. Even with the loss of life during this terrible attack, Americans rose to the occasion and pulled together as they did in WWII to fly the flag and unite as one against these terrible enemies. The unity of this country is more apparent to us now than at any other time in our lifetime and has been a truly positive response to a dreadful act. It has made us proud to be Americans and renewed our faith in the American people.

Personally, I had one tragedy occur during 2001. My father passed away in August. Now, for the first time in 50 years, neither of my parents were here to share in the Holiday festivities. My brother Alan said it best when I told him that it felt lonely not having mom or dad to call for a little advice, or even criticism. Alan said for the first time in our lives, we are orphans. It sounded a little funny when he first said it, but I guess I feel a little like an orphan when I can't call my dad to talk about the Lakers game or how I could teach Shaq to hit free throws. Or give mom a call to remind her to make that Texas Sheet Cake for Christmas eve. I also miss hearing my dad tell his old Indian stories about riding in the fifty's with a hand shift and a foot clutch. I wouldn't even mind hearing mom rant about how I drive that Harley "Too Damn Fast". I last heard my fathers voice in August 2001 and that I'll never forget.

The year 2001 is also a wonderful year in some respects for me personally because of the birth of my new grandson, Preston Neil. He is a handsome young gent flowing with more joy and love than an old biker like me could ever deserve. He is truly a reminder that God is good and we are blessed. When that little guy laughs at his Pop, nothing else in the world matters. He and his cousins are truly the joys of my life.

I also have been fortunate to get to see my other two grandchildren Kayla and Brandt nearly every day during 2001 and that has also made this a terrific year for me and my wife Cindy. We have been blessed with four terrific daughters that we are very proud of and I am happy to say they continue to hang out with mom and dad. A couple of them even work with dad and mom and that makes me a lucky guy.

As for the biker community, I feel very proud of how riders around the country have stood up to be counted and raised money to help in the New York City relief efforts. Bikers are real people made up of the best America has to offer. From all walks of life bikers came together to do the right thing and I am proud to be a member of this diverse group of patriots. Riders never disappoint me when it comes to doing for others and tragedies like 9/11 present opportunities for good people to do great deeds. Americans everywhere rose to the call and delivered and they continue to deliver.

As for next year I am continuing work on some resolutions I have made in the past. I'm a work in progress so I don't always achieve my goals on the first try so I'll continue to try to improve. First of all, I would like to continue to spend lots of time with my family. I would like to see my brothers more often and spend more time with Cindy's sisters and mom. Second, I am going to spend more time telling them all how much I care for them, especially my wife. She has been the victim of my shenanigans for over 32 years and for that she deserves more appreciation than I could ever pay.

As for my biker activities, I am expanding. I will continue to write about bikers, broadcast to the biker community on radio, photograph bikers and most importantly, ride more. I enjoy the brotherhood that motorcyclists share and the adventure of the open road is the "fuel for my fire". I delight in meeting new friends everywhere I go on two wheels and I want to add to this list. I'd also like to add more events to my schedule and spend more time on the road with friends and my biker family.

My biggest new years resolution of the year is More Hugging. This may sound a little corny but I plan to spend a lot more of my time hugging this year. My friends, my family , and the biker community I encounter will definitely get more hugs from me than ever before. You see, the year 2001 was quite a year for loss in our country as well as myself personally. If I learned only one thing this year, it was that we need to tell everyone we are around how we appreciate them and how much we care. I wish that I had hugged my dad more. We have learned as a country that at any moment we can lose friends, family, or other fellow Americans with no warning and for no reason. Hug the folks you care about and appreciate. Even a stranger that gives you encouragement or holds a door deserves your appreciation. So if you see a slightly overweight, gray-mustached biker with a shaved head at your next bike night, give him a hug, I know he needs it and I promise he will tell you how much he appreciates you. Happy New Year Dano