FaranH
GOS Founding Member (Girls On Spyders)
I should be in Maggie Valley today enjoying the scenery and camaraderie of hundreds of other Spyder owners. Unfortunately life has dealt a couple of hard blows this week.
On Monday a close family friend died suddenly from complications with cancer. Bill was like my second daddy through my early childhood and was one of the greatest men I knew. I spent several hours with his family on Wednesday and was going to miss his funeral on Thursday to leave for Lamonster’s BBQ and then on to Maggie Valley. I felt OK about missing Bill’s celebration (that’s what he insisted we call it) because as a former Triumph dealer, Bill loved motorcycles. He had been enthusiastically following my Spyder adventures and would have preferred that I make trip. (He was even buried in his motorcycle leathers).
But early Thursday morning I got another call. One of my closest friends tragically lost her daddy. There is a saying that friends are the family you choose. Well, Candy and I are family. We are raising our kids together and have been momma to each other’s children countless times. And sometimes that kind of family is what you need when you face a crisis in your blood family.
So in tears I wrestled with the decision, but finally called Chaz at BRP to tell him that I had to stay behind. He was kind in his understanding and encouraged me to do what I felt was right.
Still I’m sad over losing the opportunity to make some new family ties in this wonderful Spyder community. I had a list of people I was anxious to meet, hug and get to know. I had already planned my video blog to be kind of like the roving reporter. [Me roaming the fairgrounds with my camera, getting video of folks by their Spyders: Can you please give me your name, where you’re from and tell me your favorite thing about your Spyder.] I wanted to capture the best part of Spyder ownership—the people.
So since I can’t be there face-to-face with camera in hand, I’m going to ask for a favor…when you get a moment post on the Can-Am Spyder Facebook page a picture of you next to your Spyder and make a comment that answers the question I would have asked you. Name, where you’re from, and your favorite thing about your Spyder.
It doesn’t matter if you are in Maggie Valley or not. If you’re a Spyder owner, I’d love to hear from you. While I know most of you have posted photos and comments about your Spyders on this site many times over the years, I think it would be cool to have it all at once, just like I would have collected in person as a digital scrapbook. Then we have one more way to share in the trip and hopefully make it there together next year.
p.s. Please take a few good curves for me on Tail of the Dragon, if you're there. :doorag:
On Monday a close family friend died suddenly from complications with cancer. Bill was like my second daddy through my early childhood and was one of the greatest men I knew. I spent several hours with his family on Wednesday and was going to miss his funeral on Thursday to leave for Lamonster’s BBQ and then on to Maggie Valley. I felt OK about missing Bill’s celebration (that’s what he insisted we call it) because as a former Triumph dealer, Bill loved motorcycles. He had been enthusiastically following my Spyder adventures and would have preferred that I make trip. (He was even buried in his motorcycle leathers).
But early Thursday morning I got another call. One of my closest friends tragically lost her daddy. There is a saying that friends are the family you choose. Well, Candy and I are family. We are raising our kids together and have been momma to each other’s children countless times. And sometimes that kind of family is what you need when you face a crisis in your blood family.
So in tears I wrestled with the decision, but finally called Chaz at BRP to tell him that I had to stay behind. He was kind in his understanding and encouraged me to do what I felt was right.
Still I’m sad over losing the opportunity to make some new family ties in this wonderful Spyder community. I had a list of people I was anxious to meet, hug and get to know. I had already planned my video blog to be kind of like the roving reporter. [Me roaming the fairgrounds with my camera, getting video of folks by their Spyders: Can you please give me your name, where you’re from and tell me your favorite thing about your Spyder.] I wanted to capture the best part of Spyder ownership—the people.
So since I can’t be there face-to-face with camera in hand, I’m going to ask for a favor…when you get a moment post on the Can-Am Spyder Facebook page a picture of you next to your Spyder and make a comment that answers the question I would have asked you. Name, where you’re from, and your favorite thing about your Spyder.
It doesn’t matter if you are in Maggie Valley or not. If you’re a Spyder owner, I’d love to hear from you. While I know most of you have posted photos and comments about your Spyders on this site many times over the years, I think it would be cool to have it all at once, just like I would have collected in person as a digital scrapbook. Then we have one more way to share in the trip and hopefully make it there together next year.
p.s. Please take a few good curves for me on Tail of the Dragon, if you're there. :doorag:
ray: are with you, your family and your family of friends. I know how hard it is to lose someone so close. I lost my little brother 2 years ago, my mom 6 months after that and my Dad a year after that. Thank God for friends and family that you have at home and here in Spyder Land. We never know when we will be called home so live everyday like it's your last day. Love everyone and know you are thought about.
