Thread: tough weekend

Unlike many people on this board, I'm no wordsmith. So, I can only hope that my message comes across in a thoughtful and positive manner.

Growing up, I always thought of my uncle Jim as a younger, meaner version of my dad. He was never afraid to give you a piece of his mind. As I grew up though, I began to realize that Jim treated everybody as though they were intelligent human beings, and so did not mix words or hold back in any way. That was something that I came to appreciate later in life.

The first time I really came to enjoy his company was in my early teens. He and my dad were working on his motorcycle, and my dad left to take care of something else. My uncle and I spent the next hour just BS'ing about this and that, nothing really important. But, it was at that point that I realized that he was just a normal guy. This was further demonstrated to me a couple years later. We were at Wrightsville Beach for my sister's graduation. My dad and Jim had been tying one on all day, and by late evening they were toasted. In their drunken state, they decided it would be a good idea to throw leftover french fries at the cars passing by below. It saw a side of both my dad and Jim that I'd never witnessed...I liked it.

My final pivotal encounter w/ Jim came a few years ago. Him, my dad and I had spent the weekend at Mid-Ohio watching motorcycle races. I had somehow taken on the role as chaperone since they had no intention of taking it easy (read: lotsa warm beer) and somebody had to keep them under control and drive. So, on the last day, knowing I'd have to drive us home, I avoided the drink. Fortunately, Jim was nice enough to slow down before complete intoxication so that I had someone to keep me awake on the way home. It was that drive back, with my dad passed out in the back of the car, that I really got to know Jim. Everything from growing up w/ my dad to the time he spent in Vietnam. It was a great experience that I'll never forget.

So slowly, he went from being my mean uncle Jim, to just Jim. When he called for my dad, rather than try to pass the phone off, we'd BS for a while. When the opportunity came to spend some time w/ my extended family, I began to look forward to seeing him.

I have other relatives that I care for...that I consider friends, but Jim really stood out as a stand up guy and a great friend. I also single him out because on Wednesday last week, he was killed in a motorcycle accident on his way to work. I've had lots of relatives die, and none of them were easy to accept. But, Jim has been the hardest for me to handle. I will miss the hell out of him, and I'm just thankful that I had the chance to get to know him.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nc/...-7552312c.html

Sorry, Bag. My prayers are with you.

So sorry to hear this sad news. My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Wow, sorry to hear man. Prayers and condolences to you and yours.

Way too young to be taken. Sorry for your loss bag. That's rough.

Don't sell your writing short; your post is very eloquent and so it is all the more compelling that I offer my most sincere condolences.

No cosmic words of brilliance are going to take away the pain of your loss...Sorry, bt - losing any loved one is tough, but that is plain tragic.

Please everyone - make a mental note of this. We're always rushing around to get where we need to be, but pay attention out there & give the bikers the courtesy of extra time & distance. One thoughtless moment & this is the tragic result.

My prayers to you & yours, bt.

My heart goes out to you and my deepest condolences.
Coming from an estranged family situation, I lost my virtual brother a few years ago. Things were really dark and crappy for a while, but I managed to hang togther. Eventually fixed some stuff too.

Find friends you can count on, go do things you really enjoy and savor each moment of life for the absolutely most precious thing it is.

The mags are here for ya dood.

my uncle just went over his handlebars a month ago doing 80 mph.

he only broke his shoulder and it was a wakeup call for him.......
when I went to the hospital to see him I realized how much I have enjoyed his company over the years.....

I'm sorry you weren't as lucky as I

FUCK!!! I'm sorry for you man. It really hits home. I ride a yellow ducati and know that someday I'll prolly be in a predicament due to the stupidity of another driver. It's kind of scary to me that a guy like that, who is obviously a way better rider than me, can have this happen. Again, I offer my deepest condolensces.

Not to take away from the thread but I ask that all the car drivers here, LOOK OUT FOR BIKES!!!!

Sorry for you loss bagtagley. My condolences to you and your family.
To quote yourself:
"and I'm just thankful that I had the chance to get to know him."

Hold on to that.

.

As a rider myself I am sorry to hear about your loss.

Oh Man, that's terrible. Hang in there, think of the good times.

Condolences bag.

Sorry to hear that, man. BTW, I thought your post was great, alot of emotion in there.

RIP

Thank you, everybody, for your kind and heartfelt words. I can't tell you how much it means to me and my family.

The compassion and thoughtful nature of the members of this board never ceases to amaze me.

Damn man, just saw this. I am soo sorry for your loss and your family. Sounds like we lost one of the good ones out there.

RIP, Mr. MacQueen.

Originally posted by Spicoli
Sorry for you loss bagtagley. My condolences to you and your family.
To quote yourself:
"and I'm just thankful that I had the chance to get to know him."

Hold on to that.

I can't say it any better than that.

Hang in there, man.

BT,
condolances
savour the time you had.

amazing the relatives that treat us as equals as kids we hate & then grow to truly love.

& watch for motorcycles,
my not so pleasant demeaner last week was due to the fact that I had a good friend get the lower half of his leg taken cuz some lady decided to flip a bitch in Immigration canyon directly in front of his Harley

Sorry Bag, I just lost my dad this year and I know how hard losing someone is. Im still thinking about him a lot and I miss him everyday. The only advice I can give is to remember those good times with him and try to focus on that. I also got some good advice reading a book called the Tibetan book of living and dying.
Im very sorry for your loss.

Originally posted in the News Observer
MacQueen was originally from Charleston, W.Va., and returned to the mountains with his brothers and friends on yearly motorcycle trips they dubbed DILLIGAF, said his wife's sister, Elizabeth Forbes. (Forbes said the acronym stood for "Do I look like I give a flip?")

Does it really mean give a flip?

Dude, that sucks. It's hard to lose someone so close so suddenly like that.