A Father's Day Ride

I know a lot of people are bikers - motorcycles are quite popular - but when I think of them, the first person I think of is always my Daddy even though I don't think he's been on a motorcycle in at least 20 years.

Why is he my motorcycle man? Because he's the one who first introduced me to them back when I was just a child. My dad, who is a self-made mechanic, wanted one in the worst way, but how he got his first one is actually a tale in and of itself. He brought it home - IN A GARBAGE CAN. The previous owner had taken the motor apart in an attempt to repair it and couldn't figure out how to put it back together - so he sold it to my dad for a penance. Daddy got the Kawasaki back together without too much difficulty and rode it a lot before purchasing a second bike - this time a 150 Honda. It was a pretty little white thing. I was so eager to learn to drive it even though I wasn't quite 11-years-old.

For three months (literally) I'd spend time most days sitting on the seat of that Honda, telling my dad, "I'm now going X miles per hour and I'm shifting into X gear." He had me practice - a lot! Then finally he gave me the keys and I took off for my first drive - in the empty lot behind our house.

I enjoyed hours and hours on that Honda 150, first in that lot, then in fields behind our next home. Those fields were not flat - but quite hilly instead - and on more than one occasion I wouldn't get shifted down fast enough and would kill the motor trying to go up a hill. Daddy would jump on his Kawasaki and come to my rescue, never fussing. I think he liked flying over the hills. 

Our parents graduated to matching Honda 350s when I was about 15 years old - bright red - and when I got my license at 16, I was finally able to drive those on the highways and byways. I loved each adventure. Well, until one June day when I was 16. I was hit broadside by a car - I was not at fault - and flew through the air 32 feet before landing. I had some injuries, but surprisingly, nothing too serious. The pretty red motorcycle didn't fair too well; it was totaled. That night I was feeling quite distraught about the whole experience. My dad did not want me to be afraid to ride/drive again, so even though I had a broken arm and my left knee was significantly swollen, he had me get on the twin to the bike I wrecked, and I drove it to the end of our driveway. 

I rested from riding after that until my arm had healed (it's hard to drive a motorcycle with one working arm).

To this day, there are times when I really wish I could hop on a bike and take it for a drive. (My husband does NOT share that desire.) Alas, only in my memories. Memories that also include my Daddy.

Daddy - THANK YOU for introducing me to the joy of two wheels!

The two stamp sets used for this card

are from The Project Bin:

Wild Thing (the motorcycle)

Classic Man (the sentiment

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: The Project Bin Classic Man and Wild Thing stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Accent Opaque 120# White and SU Blueberry Bushel CS and DP from my scrap file

Dies/Punches: MFT Slanted Sentiment Strip and MFT Stitched Rounded Rectangle Dies and EK Success Corner Rounder Punch

Embellishments: Gina Marie Enamel Dots