11/14/1960

[j10asen]

November 13,1960
It was a very unusally warm day (in the 70's), I was only 9 y.o. at the time.
My brother was 21 and a very avid motocycle rider. He had already put his motorcyle away for winter but a few phone calls from friends convinced him to go for a ride on such a beautiful day. He always wore a helmet but this day he did not.
He was to return home for supper 5:30 pm. Around that time our family heard an ambulance siren coming from the main road close to our home and shortely after that, a phone call to my parents ,tears panic and then they flew out the door. My brother never returned home and died 11/14/1960 a reult of a traffic accident. Had he been wearing a helmet, I would still have a brother. I miss him more every year as the anniversary of his death passes.

For all those who think it is soooooooooooooooo cool to ride your bike without a helmet. Think again!!!!!!! Rememebr you have survivors who will miss you!!!

[pk]

John, I am so sorry to read about the loss of your brother so many years ago. Even though the years have continued to go by, I'm sure at times like today, it must still make you feel like you are 9 years old again when you realized the loss was pernament and nothing anyone could do would change that. We all continue to live on after a loved one has passed but we still carry their memory. Our memories are a special thing that keeps our loved ones close in our hearts as time goes by.

I too have lost loved ones due to motorcycle accidents. Each one was riding without a helmet and both died of head injuries. One always road his bike everywhere, his bike was part of him. For him to die riding was perhaps the way he would have wanted. The other was a close cousin that was on vacation in Hawaii and decided to ride after years of being off a motorcycle. It was a simple accident so I'm told, where he hit a pothole in the road and lost control. He died. We shall never forget him. It was such a great loss, a needless loss, a terrible accident.

Wearing a helmet is the most important thing one can do for themselves when riding, but one thing everyone should remember, even a helmet doesn't protect you fully. I met someone years ago that learned that lesson the hard way. He was riding through some S curves when a car went over the line and side swiped him tearing his leg off.

When you get on a bike look around at your body. You have nothing between you and the person next to you in a big heavy car or the ground. No protection. If you do ride, at least wear a helmet.

pk

[j10asen]

pk, Thank you so much for your kind words and support. Your message helped me get through the day.