Two weeks ago last Friday I had an accident riding my motorcycle on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I had taken a couple vacation days to go ride the parkway. I was having a blast! Rode all day on Thursday, May 20, rode the entire parkway in the state of Virginia. Stayed Thursday evening at a motel in Waynesboro, Va., where the parkway ends and the Skyline Drive of the Shenandoah National Forest begins. Friday I started back towards North Carolina, and about 10:30am Friday morning the bike and I went down.
I still do not know what caused the bike to go down, probably will never know for sure. A couple thoughts; one, I hit a slick spot when applying the front brake and locked the brake causing the bike to go down, two, I dozed off. I know the dozing off theory sounds weird but I was so relaxed, was by myself and there was hardly no traffic. One reason I came up with the dozing off theory is I don't remember going down. All I remember is sliding along the road after I went down.
Thankfully I was not severely injured. I did suffer a broken collar bone and some broken ribs (ouch), it still hurts two and a half weeks later.Hurt also was my pride, it took a big hit, it's a man thing, men think they can avoid stuff like this. The injury has limited what I can do. With arm in a sling, I could not dress myself, shower, lay down, drive (at least for a few days), very hard to keyboard on the computer, on and on I could list small things that one takes for granted every day I could not do. I had never broken a bone in 64 years of life before. All of a sudden I realized how thankful we need to be for the ability to do the small tasks of life everyday. It's unbelievable how difficult life is when you can't do the small everyday ordinary tasks. God surely knew what He was doing when He gave us two good hands, two good arms, two good feet, two good legs, etc. Wow they are so necessary. Be thankful for the ability to use the members of the body.
My good wife has been such a blessing. With me whining and complaining, you know how men get when they are hurt or sick, she has been a tremendous help. I am pretty much a do it for myself type of man, but I needed help with just about everything and my wife gave me all the assistance I needed.
After two and a half weeks I am getting back to doing most things for myself, still can't put on my socks very easily.........another small thing we take for granted everyday. I am slowly healing and slowly doing most things for myself again, still cannot lay down (Oh! I miss being able to lay down and stretch out), little by little, day by day, I am accomplishing (very carefully) the small things of life.
Will I ride again? I love riding my motorcycle and never want to go down again!!!!!
However as of now I am thinking, yes, I will ride when I heal.
Thank God every day if you have the ability to do the small things of life!!!! The every day small things we take for granted are really big when you can no longer do them.
I hope you're better soon and when you are I think you should ride you bike a little way because then you will be reminded how good it feels and that what happened is worth the risk. Next time you need to take more rest breaks because you were probably tired from the day before.
ReplyDeleteDarrell: In some ways, this reminds me of when I received severe burns (mostly 3rd degree) over 20% of my body about five years ago. In short, some leaves accidently caught fire underneath a riding lawnmower and in my frantic efforts to keep the fire from spreading, I fell face down into the burning leaves and scorched earth. The pain was so intense, and I remember calling out to God to help me with this. (He did...through the doctors and the medication). The angel in this whole episode of over six weeks out of work and strong medication and therapy, was my wife. She cleaned and dressed my wounds for hours every day, and never complained. Not once. I realized how fortunate I was that God put us together decades ago.
ReplyDeleteIn your situation, it looks like you realized the same. Brenda and I do hope that you heal quickly, and this is our prayer.