Last week, something did.
He and a group of friends were on an extended motorcycle road trip. Not their first "road-eo", this was coordinated by his friend Bob. The path, routes, stops, etc. All were coordinated in advance by Bob. Sans the deer.
As they were about 2hrs outside of Reno, with Bob trailing, they suddenly realized he was not with them. They circled back to find a rather grizzly scene, but one of good fortune, given the circumstances.
Bob hit a deer. On a winding road, between himself and the last bike that was already a good distance ahead of him, It jumped out of the woods and into his path. The deer likely took the break in the density of the traffic to indicate an opening and an opportunity to make it to the other side. Only, he didn't see Bob. Bob didn't see him. At least if/when they did see each other, it was mid-gasp cut short by an impact and the subsequent turmoil that followed.
Bob killed the deer. I don't know if it was instant, but when they returned, they found Bob alive, a dead dear and a thrashed bike.
They also found a road crew parked with flashers blocking traffic as they radioed to their headquarters for emergency medical assistance.
They were in a mountain range well out of cellular range. No signal. Apparently, the road crew were working nearby, within hearing distance at least, and audibly recognized the crashing sounds of an impact of some sort. They drove down and found the scene, and quickly went into action. Had they not been at that place at that time, or had the incident occurred further down the road, the friends that returned to find him would have been unable to initiate any help without at least a 5+ mile drive, if not further.
A medivac helicopter was sent to air-lift him out, and Marlin and friends followed him to Reno. If I recall correctly, their friend cracked eight ribs and punctured one lung. Marlin had to get "medieval" about seeing his friend and ensuring his care, including drastically needed pain management.
He commented that "Nobody cares about you as much as you."
Bob will heal. Bob will walk again. And according to Marlin, knowing Bob, they will ride again. Life will go on until it doesn't. While some might see Bob's returning to riding as ignorance or insanity, one could argue that his passion and confidence drive him to action, regardless of the risks. Maybe the rewards are great, including the reward of following your heart and callings to live true to your interests.
I have wasted most of my life feeling insecure, chasing approval, acceptance and the respect of others I assumed I needed. I don't want to go out like that. What a sad final breath that would be. I want my last breath to be a confident breath of great satisfaction and accomplishment, not a deep sigh of regret over missed opportunities.
Merely embracing that life will end is not the point. Living every day as if that end is just around the corner, like a deer that will jump in front of you out of seemingly nowhere, is what I am aspiring to. Because it damn well could be.
As they were about 2hrs outside of Reno, with Bob trailing, they suddenly realized he was not with them. They circled back to find a rather grizzly scene, but one of good fortune, given the circumstances.
Bob hit a deer. On a winding road, between himself and the last bike that was already a good distance ahead of him, It jumped out of the woods and into his path. The deer likely took the break in the density of the traffic to indicate an opening and an opportunity to make it to the other side. Only, he didn't see Bob. Bob didn't see him. At least if/when they did see each other, it was mid-gasp cut short by an impact and the subsequent turmoil that followed.
Bob killed the deer. I don't know if it was instant, but when they returned, they found Bob alive, a dead dear and a thrashed bike.
They also found a road crew parked with flashers blocking traffic as they radioed to their headquarters for emergency medical assistance.
They were in a mountain range well out of cellular range. No signal. Apparently, the road crew were working nearby, within hearing distance at least, and audibly recognized the crashing sounds of an impact of some sort. They drove down and found the scene, and quickly went into action. Had they not been at that place at that time, or had the incident occurred further down the road, the friends that returned to find him would have been unable to initiate any help without at least a 5+ mile drive, if not further.
A medivac helicopter was sent to air-lift him out, and Marlin and friends followed him to Reno. If I recall correctly, their friend cracked eight ribs and punctured one lung. Marlin had to get "medieval" about seeing his friend and ensuring his care, including drastically needed pain management.
He commented that "Nobody cares about you as much as you."
Bob will heal. Bob will walk again. And according to Marlin, knowing Bob, they will ride again. Life will go on until it doesn't. While some might see Bob's returning to riding as ignorance or insanity, one could argue that his passion and confidence drive him to action, regardless of the risks. Maybe the rewards are great, including the reward of following your heart and callings to live true to your interests.
I have wasted most of my life feeling insecure, chasing approval, acceptance and the respect of others I assumed I needed. I don't want to go out like that. What a sad final breath that would be. I want my last breath to be a confident breath of great satisfaction and accomplishment, not a deep sigh of regret over missed opportunities.
Merely embracing that life will end is not the point. Living every day as if that end is just around the corner, like a deer that will jump in front of you out of seemingly nowhere, is what I am aspiring to. Because it damn well could be.