Life is not tried, it is merely survived, if you're standing outside the fire...

 Country singer, Garth Brooks, recorded a song in 1993 that I somewhat felt was sort of an anthem to the life I have lived. Although it talks about love opportunities lost, it could also be applied to life's opportunities not taken. And so, for me, this trip was my fire. I was so very fortunate that I was not injured worse in my bike

accident last July (19th to be exact, but who is counting...). I am, in all honesty, quite angry that I feel like I lost a year of opportunities to live life to the fullest. As I age, I know these opportunities are fleeting moments in time that I will not be given a chance to make up. But mixed with those frustrated feelings are the realization that I am quite fortunate, if that's what we shall call it, for having lived and not been injured worse. 

So with all this turmoil stirring my soul, I felt compelled, no, more like strongly obsessed, with making another trip. I needed to do this for myself. And whether I did the same trip wasn't so important as swinging my leg over the Road Queen, packed up, and hitting the road. Meeting people I had never met. Going to new places. 

And, most importantly, seeing my Kid marry her soul mate. 

The ride home was, quite frankly, torture. Although I absolutely love seeing America on the two lane back roads and experiencing the small towns and the people who make this country awesome, the weather SUCKED. I did as much two lane as I could until, finally, like a poker player holding a losing hand, I acquiesced and started seeking the easiest way to the interstate. I just wanted to go home. I was so tired of rain. 

I want to tell you what I did see that should make everybody think about our weather and hope this is not a pattern we will be dealing with more. On the road south from the Kid's place, remnants of mobile homes were scattered across the highway. The travel path was cleared, but

the carnage was clearly an indication that people's lives would not be the same moving forward. And then, as I pulled into Selmer, TN on my way home, the path of a tornado was glaring. Some buildings were totally demolished, some missing roofs or whole sides of them. And my heart aches for those individuals who were facing the challenges of picking up the pieces of their lives, Rain and tornadoes can clearly affect us all sometimes. Be kind and generous to those who suffer mother nature's wrath. Life isn't fair. Help people know that somebody cares. 

Life is what we make it. Don't stand outside the fire. 

Peace and Love,

Bobbi