TWO-YEAR-OLD MEMORY

Yesterday I wrote a poem about Wanderlust. I have been riding motor bikes or scooters 64 years. Wanderlust is certainly not a whim-of-the-moment nor an old-age fancy. One of many stories of my 'ride' in 2009 follows. Photo below is simple a joke--grin!-- OK?

 A MEMORY

 
August 2009.

Two years ago.

I was riding my scooter on Blue highway US 301, headed north toward Richmond Virginia. Destination: Charlottesville. Enjoying the morning air, sunshine, I had been riding for four hours, and, stopping for a red light, heard my cell ringing. I spotted a vacant gas station, and stopped there to answer my phone and maybe relax a bit, get my GPS bearings, and make necessary use of a tree behind the building.

While I was talking to the caller, a well dressed man walked out from the garage area, and I saw him checking out (admiring!) my bike. It turned out he owned this newly built, not yet open, station. He went inside to bring me several bottled waters. Me...gratitude!

NOTE: On the rear fender of my scooter is a bumper sticker which had been sent me 3 years ago from a blogger named Scott (anonymous!). The sticker in bold letters pronounced “SOBER”.

Across the street we bought a couple sandwiches, played a chess match (which was no match!). Since I was wayyy out of practice, I was royally defeated in battle, but a winner in spirit.

During this time together we talked about his business (built just two years too late), about my bike trip, about Naples Florida where I live, and his (and of course, mine) favorite topic, Alcoholics Anonymous. I spent two hours in that town, Stony Creek, where most of the Peeps were off to work in the big city, Richmond. Where nothing much was happening.

Nothing much, except a chance? meeting of two strangers. Two men, one black, one white, one gay (not me!), both recovering alcoholics--instant brotherhood... He was sober just over two years.

Imagine my thoughts during the next 80 miles! A thousand miles from home, an inopportune phone call, unplanned rest-stop, a random mini AA meeting. As for me...

I had come from (years earlier) THIS: “...we knew loneliness such as few do..” to THIS: ”We will see where our experience can help others.”

(Both quotes from the book Alcoholics Anonymous “Big Book”)

This bit of a trivial moment in my 17-day bike trip is one of at least a hundred (really more!) similar stories which meant—and still mean—so much to me. Each day I expected some nice things to happen, and they did! Each day I asked God (while riding!) to just let me be opened to His will, and He did! And I did!

Peeps, what a wonderful life awaits us, if we just “Let Go and Let God”! Easy does it--but do it. Live, Let Live, and Forgive...

Love and PEACE!

Steve E