Kawasaki Concours Forum

Riding => Rides and Stories => Topic started by: JerBear on August 21, 2012, 07:28:04 PM

Title: Worst ride of my life
Post by: JerBear on August 21, 2012, 07:28:04 PM
I ask for your prayers for my family.  Last night (Aug 20th) my father-in-law (Don) came over for supper.  He has been eating most suppers at our house since last Sept. when his wife (jackie) of 49 years passed away.  After supper he asked me if I wanted to go for a ride.  We usually rode about 30 miles or so when we went.  He was about 70 years old and that was all he wanted to go most nights.  When we went, he would lead because I always drove faster than he wanted to drive.  We  were out about 30 minutes and crested a hill heading west, it was into the sun and Dad got blinded by the glare.  He drove through a stop sign and was broad-sided by an suv and killed instantly. I was 30-40 yards behind him and could'nt stop what was happening before my eyes.  I'm not sure at this point if I will ride much again but I'll take some time for it to sink in.  I don't mean to preach but Dad (and I) place our faith in Christ and no matter what you do, when your time is up, it is really up.

Jerry
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Snibbor on August 21, 2012, 08:06:36 PM
I am so sorry to hear that Jerry.  The prayers are on the way.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: T Cro ® on August 21, 2012, 08:22:28 PM
Wow... I'm so saddened by the loss of your father. May he rest in piece.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Gumby on August 21, 2012, 08:29:45 PM
RIP...
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: novacon on August 21, 2012, 08:58:29 PM
God bless you and your family during this difficult time. Prayers said.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Tony
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Jigo on August 21, 2012, 09:14:32 PM
Sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. May he rest in peace. Condolence to your family.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Son of Pappy on August 21, 2012, 10:36:01 PM
May I be so lucky as to go doing something I love.

Prayers for you and your family,

Chet
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: midnightrider on August 22, 2012, 12:42:01 AM
Prayers for you and your family Jerry.

Carl
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Walker18 on August 22, 2012, 01:11:30 AM
Condolences for you and your family, Jerry. In due time, slip a photo of your father-in-law in the glove box and take him on a ride..
I do that for my Dad always. I think of him often, especially when riding, I find myself talking to with him, I sometimes 'hear' him talking back.
Memories are wonderful, it's what's left of our loved one's until we meet up again in the hopefully distant future. God bless.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Conrad on August 22, 2012, 08:24:45 AM
Jerry, I'm so very sorry for this loss to your family. I can't even imagine...

Prayers said.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: shokdimn on August 22, 2012, 08:45:02 AM
Words fail me.  Prayers sent for Don’s entire family.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: jim04092 on August 22, 2012, 07:39:26 PM
 So sorry to hear, prayers sent. May god bless you and your family.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: wipfel on August 23, 2012, 08:23:47 AM
My condolences and prayers to you, Jerry.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: scav8tor on August 23, 2012, 11:20:00 AM
Very sorry for your loss. I'm glad that you have the comfort of knowing Christ and that your father-in-law did too. Will pray that God's grace and peace will be on you and your family.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: BMahar on August 23, 2012, 12:34:58 PM
   Jerry, I'm very for you and your families loss.
  We will be praying for you and those close to you.
  Brent
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: roadPilot on August 23, 2012, 01:58:01 PM
Prayers for you, the family, and friends, Jerry.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: JerBear on August 24, 2012, 02:29:48 PM
Thanks everyone, we start the funeral process today.  I drove the bike 45 miles yesterday and it's ok but I'm not too sure how the wife feels about it.  Spoke with a dealer and they said I could consign the bike at the dealership and get about 6K so I have to think about that as well.  Time will tell.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: MrPepsi on August 24, 2012, 03:49:49 PM
Jerry, my thoughts are with you and your family.

I hear in the manner by which you told this story..just know, this is no way shape or form, was your fault.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: CRocker on August 24, 2012, 10:22:24 PM
Jerry,

You and your family are in our prayers. 

God Bless you all.

Brad
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: okxd45 on August 25, 2012, 08:39:48 PM
Jerry you and your family are in my prayers.   :'( But Don doesn't need any prayers! ;D
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: ZG on August 25, 2012, 10:13:33 PM
 :grouphug:
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Pfloydgad on August 26, 2012, 09:21:28 AM
No words will can really be said, I never lost a family member, but a couple buddies have gone into light as a result of bikes. One was very fast, the other took 30 yrs.
Please ride again, get his initials painted on your bike, and he comes with you on every ride. My buddies initials are on my beloved Connie, they ride with me always.
Stay positive, it sounds like he was doing exactly what he wanted to, being with you and riding.
Ride safe all,
Greg
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: KawiG on August 26, 2012, 03:54:10 PM
Sometimes it takes a while to feel the NEED to ride again. It took me 8 years. Sorry for the loss of a buddy. :-\
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: rush2112 on August 27, 2012, 11:34:53 AM
So sorry to hear.
Prayers up for the family.
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: texrider on August 27, 2012, 08:08:05 PM
Sorry for your family's loss. What became of the person(s) he ran into?
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: Nemo on August 27, 2012, 10:50:18 PM
WOW Jerry, Don 't know what to say. He was doing exactly what he needed to do considering what has happened with him. He will be looking down over you on every ride. Take something from your dad-in-law and put it on your bike. My best thoughts and feeling towards you and your dad-in-law!!!!!
Title: Re: Worst ride of my life
Post by: JerBear on August 28, 2012, 07:41:02 PM
Sorry for your family's loss. What became of the person(s) he ran into?

It is actually worse than that, Dad got t-boned in the middle of the first cross traffic lane, the poor girl hardly had any time to brake before she hit him so she saw the whole thing happen before her eyes.

She came Friday night to the visitation.  She is understandably shook up, she's only 17 years old.  We did our best to assure her that we are not in any way angry with her and we are praying for her emotional healing.   Thank goodness she was not badly injured in the wreck.  She has a good family and our support.  The healing will take time for everyone.  She is the type of kid that will find a way to get rumble strips installed at rural intersections.