I have a slew of thoughts birthed by my recent accident, trying to put them all down would be tediously long and no doubt very boring for anyone foolish enough to read them. Not to mention hopelessly self-indulgent and bordering on being a Nick Cave quality tragedy. So, I'm going to pick a couple of the important ones, to me that is.
Friends, be glad you have them. I made no effort to let anyone know about my misfortune, I was too embarrassed and frankly, depressed, to want to even mention it. But, the grapevine of local events saw that a few people found out anyway. As soon as they heard I had two friends on the phone making sure I was in one piece and to ask if I wanted their bikes to take to Phillip Island for my up coming holiday. That, ladies and gentlemen, is friendship. The loan of a mate's bike is no small matter to me and it made it clear that there were at least two people who, for whatever reason, held me in high enough regard to trust me with their machines even after me proving conclusively I couldn't be trusted with mine. Thanks blokes, I owe you both.
Bikes are great but life goes on. The world doesn't end, the sun still shines and my dog still needs a bath. It sucks I can't ride my beaut bike right now but it'll get fixed and I'll be back. What
is important that I'm walking, talking and don't need bones set or surgery. My hip is still playing up 4 weeks after the event but that's ok with me, I got off lightly. I know of people who were going about their lives in their normal fashion at the beginning of this year and are now paralyzed from the waist down due to one moment of stupidity on a bike. Lucky? Fuck, I'm blessed! Perspective is a wonderful thing once you can step away and compare yourself to others. You wont catch me moaning my misfortune, because I really am a lucky bastard.
I said I'd mention a couple of thoughts but here's a third. Support. I needed it and I got it and it meant so much to me I can't thank the people enough. Mel was and is great. I called her from work and there was no question of her not coming right over from hers and making sure I got home safely. She then spent the next few days with me to make sure nothing worse than some mild shock set in. The first night I just rambled on and tried to get some demons out... fear, nervous excitement, anger, heady relief, sadness etc... and she put with it beautifully. She said later I was clearly suffering shock, I'm just glad she was there looking out for me.
Mum and Dad gave what support they could to their idiot child. Dad lives in Holland and Mum in Tassie so it was all verbal and all good. To quote Dad: "I don't give a shit about the bike as long as you are ok!" That's just what I needed to hear. Mum was in the same vein if with less swearing. They both just wanted to know I was ok and to let me know how much they cared, no mention of how much they fear for me riding and how happy they would be if I gave it up and bought a Volvo, just support. I love those two.
Well that's it for the moment. I needed to write that down and now I'll hopefully move on to other topics of my charmed life. I heard yesterday that the panels are off being spray painted and all the part are there. I dropped off a bike alarm I bought so it'll be coming back a little better than it was. Little silver linings to brighten my day...
I'll catch you later...
