We all have bad weeks. It’s the nature of life.
Last Monday it started with my commute home. I work in Boston now and am a slave to commuting on the train. I typically take the 5:25 commuter rail train because it is an express train that goes directly to my town and saves about 5-10 minutes. I am usually home in about a half hour.
It was a normal commute until the train stopped dead about three stops from where it was supposed to. Then we heard that a man had driven his car in to the train tunnel at my typical stop and the car had been hit by an earlier train. Initially, we had heard that the driver was actually ok. He was elderly and had gotten confused as to where to exit the station. The 2 1/2 hours it took me to get home was irritating, of course. I got home just in time to see the smashed car being towed away from the train station, among the many news crews that were there covering the story. Later that night the driver had actually died from injuries he sustained from the crash.
Tuesday was election day, of course. Aside from the obvious presidential results, my liberal state of Massachusetts had three questions on the ballot that resulted in the most asinine results.
Wed., Thurs. and Friday-typical work and life frustrations. Eagerly looking forward to the weekend to wash away the events of the week. Have a few cocktails and a nice night out with my husband. All was going to plan. Until yesterday.
Late afternoon I received a call from my mother letting me know that my uncle had been in a motorcycle accident. He ended up dying as a result of it. At the time nobody knew the circumstances of the accident or the extent of his injuries. My dad told me that he was wearing a helmet, but it was a shortie so he had a big bump over one of his eyes.
Today we learned that the accident was a hit & run. They determined that someone had run him over due to the extent of injuries to his chest and stomach. There is now an on-going investigation into the accident and who is responsible. And the kicker? It was my uncle’s birthday.
So now I’m left to ponder: as a motorcycle rider, is it just inevitable that our ticket will be punched at some point? This is not the first time my life has been touched by someone close to me having an accident, or even the first time it’s been a hit & run.
Are we just tempting fate every time we jump on our bikes to go for a leisurely drive? And is it really worth it?
November 10th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I have seen all too often the completely irresponsible party making it out of all kinds of situations, and the most innocent and responsible making their way to heaven ahead of their time. But all of that only makes me believe that they weren’t ahead of anything…when your number is called, you go.
Only the good die young. It seems senseless, and of course it hurts. There seems no other justification, so I have to believe that God must need a new angel that day.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I’m sorry to hear about your uncle that is awful news.
Everytime I read a story like this I actually consider selling my bike, I have a baby on the way and don’t want to endanger my life any more than I have to with such responsibilities pending but at the same time I love riding and really only use it to commute the 10 minutes or so from home to work, but those 10 mins make going to work worthwhile!
November 10th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
[...] Lizzie from Rippin-Kitten has been experiencing a rough sequence of events, possibly the worst week ever as she lost a member of her family in a motorcycle accident. As a fellow member of the motorcycle [...]
November 10th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I’m saddened to hear of the news of the loss in your family. Hang in there. Hopefully the person who caused this terrible accident will do the right thing and come forward and take responsibility.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Lizzie,
I extend you my sincere condolences. I have followed your blog for a short time but read of last year’s accident with your husband. I can understand to a degree your thoughts of wondering if it is worth it. I have witnessed the death of another rider as well as nearly been involved in two accidents myself, all within a three month period.
Personally, I asked myself the same question – is it worth it? I have to agree with Mrs. Road Captain. When it is our time, it is simply that. I truly believe we are all at risk, regardless if we are in a vehicle or on a bike. The plain truth is that everyday, there is someone driving without regard for others. The sad part is that if it is not a car on the either side of their disregard, it may be us on a bike.
I think we as bikers hold it closer to our hearts and minds when we see a fellow rider fall to a tragic event. I say this because regardless of the bike you ride, in the end, we all are like a special family out there. We know and understand the dangers involved and we also know the rewards and joy riding can bring. This is why we acknowledge each other with our own waive.
You and your family will be in our prayers!
BAM
November 11th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Liz-
I’m so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. Please accept my condolences.
Yes, it’s true that we take our lives in our hands every time we mount up. But the price for that freedom is always going to be giving up a certain degree of safety.
Is getting your ticket punched inevitable? I don’t think so. You just look out for yourself as much as possible and enjoy the experience. True, there’s always going to be the unexpected possibility of getting hit. It’s just a matter of how much you’re going to let that fear rule you.
Is it worth it? Each person has to answer that for themselves. I ride a lot of miles and always without a helmet. I know the risks. I am a statistic waiting to happen. But if I die tomorrow with the wind in my face, it will have all been worth it to me.
November 11th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Lizzie,
My condolences. It’s so senseless, right? My prayers are with you and your family in this dark time.
November 11th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Thank you everyone for the kind words of encouragement and condolences. It’s so hard to reconcile that an activity that gives us all so much joy can also be the cause of fear and for some, devastation.
I guess it’s just a part of riding that we all have to deal with. So BE SAFE out there!
November 13th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
My deepest sympathies for your uncle’s loss.
Considering what happened to your OM, I can see how this latest tragedy would weird you out a bit. I figure when your number’s up, that’s it. I see no sense in trying to reason when, where, why, and how about it, since there’s really no way to know. I would agree that each time we ride we’re increasing the odds of our number coming up sooner rather than later. There are few adventures in life that are without risk I guess.
Is it really worth it? That’s deeply personal for each of us. It’s worth it enough to me that I still ride after having been in an accident myself that I’m still limping from. I’d rather not die on the road. On the other hand, it beats the hell out of raving and pissing myself strapped to a bed in a nursing home. It’s all a matter of perspective I guess.
One thing I’m absolutely sure of. Should I die out on a ride, I would not want my death to play a part in anyone I know giving up riding. I’d prefer they continue to ride in my memory. I wouldn’t venture to speak for your uncle, but I’m sure you knew him well enough to decide if he’d have agreed with me or not.
Take care.