Chiefblueman
Well-known member
The man that gifted me with a love for motorcycling, that taught me to never give up, that has been there for me as a parent, companion and example of a good though flawed man, has been diagnosed with Lewey Body disease.
Lewey Body disease is a form of dementia that combines the symptoms of Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases. While not Alzheimers, the same tangles in the brain are found in LBD patients.
As a kid, I would page through Dad's photo album of his life pre - me. I am his oldest son. My favorite pic is my proud 20 year old Dad standing with his new Knucklehead H-D, fish tail pipes and studded leather bags, gleaming in the sun. My Dad was, and still is, a very handsome man. 6 feet and a buck sixty. I wish I could show it to you, you'd understand why there was no way I was going to stay away from motorcycling.
He'd tell me stories of his first bike, a Servi-cycle. Had a small Indian, think he called it a 30-50. Right before he married my mom he scored a spanking new H-D K model. Then came baby, (me) in '54 and it was time for Dad to get his first car. At 22 years of age Dad had to learn how to drive a car! He'd only ever had motorcycles.
Fifteen years later Mom and Dad had to deal with a kid who had saved up some cash from his paper route and odd jobs and wanted his first motorcycle. Mom was dead set against it but Dad told me to be patient - don't give up. One day he said "Come with me, we're going to take a ride". I came home with my first bike, a new Suzuki 90. I only had enough cash for the 50cc but Dad ponied up and we got the 90. I was in heaven and Dad took the heat from Mom.
At 82, Dad has slowed of course, mostly due to this until now undiagnosed disease. To watch this always vigorous man with a charming personality and a "can't sit still while there' something to do" attitude have trouble speaking or moving the way he would like is heartbreaking to say the least. His response to all this is "Well, it's not going to happen all at once so I guess I'll just keep going until it does." I'm 60 now and he's still showing me the way.
When I ride the FJR over to his place he'll ogle it and tell me what a beautiful bike it is. Wistful is a good word. I took him to the International Motorcycle Show earlier this year. He jumped on a KLR and said softly "I bet I could ride this". I almost cried right there.
I'm going to be there for my ol' man. I'm going to try and say all those things that need to be said while he's still here. Eventually his body will be here still, but he won't. The disease, though cruel, has a silver lining. I have the opportunity to give back before he leaves instead of wishing I had after he's gone.
So say a little something for my Dad to who or whatever matters to you. Please say to yourself this guy on the FJR forum was sure lucky to have a Dad like that. I hope you all have somebody in your life like my Dad. Hug that person just a little tighter for me. Say those things now. Don't wait.
Lewey Body disease is a form of dementia that combines the symptoms of Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases. While not Alzheimers, the same tangles in the brain are found in LBD patients.
As a kid, I would page through Dad's photo album of his life pre - me. I am his oldest son. My favorite pic is my proud 20 year old Dad standing with his new Knucklehead H-D, fish tail pipes and studded leather bags, gleaming in the sun. My Dad was, and still is, a very handsome man. 6 feet and a buck sixty. I wish I could show it to you, you'd understand why there was no way I was going to stay away from motorcycling.
He'd tell me stories of his first bike, a Servi-cycle. Had a small Indian, think he called it a 30-50. Right before he married my mom he scored a spanking new H-D K model. Then came baby, (me) in '54 and it was time for Dad to get his first car. At 22 years of age Dad had to learn how to drive a car! He'd only ever had motorcycles.
Fifteen years later Mom and Dad had to deal with a kid who had saved up some cash from his paper route and odd jobs and wanted his first motorcycle. Mom was dead set against it but Dad told me to be patient - don't give up. One day he said "Come with me, we're going to take a ride". I came home with my first bike, a new Suzuki 90. I only had enough cash for the 50cc but Dad ponied up and we got the 90. I was in heaven and Dad took the heat from Mom.
At 82, Dad has slowed of course, mostly due to this until now undiagnosed disease. To watch this always vigorous man with a charming personality and a "can't sit still while there' something to do" attitude have trouble speaking or moving the way he would like is heartbreaking to say the least. His response to all this is "Well, it's not going to happen all at once so I guess I'll just keep going until it does." I'm 60 now and he's still showing me the way.
When I ride the FJR over to his place he'll ogle it and tell me what a beautiful bike it is. Wistful is a good word. I took him to the International Motorcycle Show earlier this year. He jumped on a KLR and said softly "I bet I could ride this". I almost cried right there.
I'm going to be there for my ol' man. I'm going to try and say all those things that need to be said while he's still here. Eventually his body will be here still, but he won't. The disease, though cruel, has a silver lining. I have the opportunity to give back before he leaves instead of wishing I had after he's gone.
So say a little something for my Dad to who or whatever matters to you. Please say to yourself this guy on the FJR forum was sure lucky to have a Dad like that. I hope you all have somebody in your life like my Dad. Hug that person just a little tighter for me. Say those things now. Don't wait.
