One year ago...

[motomama]

It will be one year ago on Monday, August 24th that I had the dreaded conversation with a stranger that my husband (Willow) had been in an motorcycle accident and was headed to the hospital in an ambulance.  I will never forget that telephone call, nor the panic I felt at that time.  That accident has changed our lives in many ways.

There were times during his 18 day hospital stay (14 of which were in the Critical Care Unit) that things looked grim and that I thought I might lose him.  I will never forget the overwhelming support of our friends and family and especially the VRCC family.  The many telephone calls, hundreds of emails, cards and the many, many prayers were overwhelming.  I checked the board during that time several times a day, and not one day went by when there was not someone on the board offering their prayers and support.  I would read those emails, card, and posts to Carl on a daily basis and that did bring some light to our days.  After returning home, Carl had to go back to the hospital for another 5 days, and we still had the continuing support.

There were also the many visits from VRCC friends, some who came quite a distance to visit.  Raymond and Rhonda were at my house every weekend for a while and I will never be able to thank them enough for all they did during that time.  Jim Orr rode up from Chandler, OK one day just to visit us at the hospital.  That was a welcome surprise.  And then there was Bandit and Dana that came up to the hospital, as well.  They all travelled quite a ways to see us.  Pat & Carolyn from Michigan came down for a weekend, Mark and Chris from Indiana and Tim & Sherry from Alabama, and Chuck from Missouri.  It did wonders for us to see them all.  I am sure they are some that I left out, and for that I am sorry, but all of you taking the time for us, meant so much!  I can't count how many times I was on the phone with F6gal and Psycho, as well as Scott in OK.  They were kind of my sounding boards, as well as several others.

As I reflect back on this past year, and thinking of of the many, many things that went on during that time, you guys and gals, the VRCC did make an impact on our lives and sometimes I even wonder how we would have gotten through those times without the support of friends like you.  I thank God on a regualar basis for our extended family!  And I definitely thank God that I still have my husband here with me!

THANK YOU VRCC Members...for being a part of our lives!

One year ago...

Last month...

[Michael K (Az.)]

I'm sure glad that the boy healed up as well as he has! If he hadn't, I wouldn't have had anyone to blatantly exceed the speed limit with coming back to the hotel after the VRCC dinner in Colorado! [edit] riding back from the poker run, not the dinner, sheesh! [end]
Seriously, I remember a year ago, no fun! f6gal and Psycho filling me in with updates. Watching the board and reading ALL those well wishes.
If only the dues weren't so high.



Michael K

[Jack]

I think I can speak for all in saying the two of you have been a blessing in our lives as well.

[Daniel Meyer]

A year already? Wow...

Scary stuff.

[Rowdy]

   Man it's been a year already - Willow bounced back quick  Cool

[fudgie]

I remember reading this sad news. It was awful. Glad all is better today.

[Mickey Runie]

Shala and I met you and Paul Sr........uh, I mean Carl only briefly at Cheaha earlier this year and already realize how nice the two of you are.   Didn't know about the accident til now, but I am sure glad Willow's recovery went well.

Wishing you both the very best.

Jim

[Des]

   Thank God for our answered prayers!   

[franco6]

WILOW bro a year ago i was thinkink of maybe looking at a valk and you were having a terrible accident .
i think you for being one of the great guys who make this interest group the best thing on the internet.
you are doing well now ,accidents happen. lots of us have been there ,
its harder on the ones around us. you ve got agreat wife ,whom i had the pleasure to meet in frisco.
thanks for the hard work and sorry for those e mail to the old world ,one day  i m gonna learn to use this gadget

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Carl's accident was'nt long after we lost Steve ( Old Skool ) to the same type crash a car turning into their path. A few times when I was reading about Carl's condition I was thinking the worse .....We are going to lose another friend    Thank the Lord we did'nt....Ride On Willow 

[hotglue #43]

  we're glad to have Willow still kicking, you know there is alot of stuff that the 2 of you need to go do....enjoy life...it's short...fb

[Willow]

Yes, thank you all for the support that the VRCC showed.  I can still remember the look on the little girl's face when she brought in that first huge stack of printed emails.

I'm glad I got to stay around for a while.  This week will be sixteen years since my riding partner and I got hitched.  Even after all this time, sometimes I still get damp in the lap when she wraps her arms around me.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Yes, thank you all for the support that the VRCC showed.  I can still remember the look on the little girl's face when she brought in that first huge stack of printed emails.

I'm glad I got to stay around for a while.  This week will be sixteen years since my riding partner and I got hitched.  Even after all this time, sometimes I still get damp in the lap when she wraps her arms around me.

[MAD6Gun]

I am glad you and Carl are doing well. It was great to see you both when Chris and I dropped in for a visit last November. It was also real nice to see you both at the Blue/Gray ride. See you at the CBR........

[Daniel Meyer]

[/i]

Outstanding picture!

And that reminds me...

[Thunderbolt]

and I remember mention of the number of emails the girl brought you.  Glad to know you and Lori are both doing well, she had some speed bumps to overcome also.

[HotRod]

  What a
great come back and boy did that year fly by!

[Gilligan]

Hi, motomama.  One of my regrets is that Judy and I did not "ride in" to meet you two before we sold the Valk.  I know the fear and helplessness that comes from "that call."  I hope we still get to meet both of you and share some "life" together.

[bludragon]

Motomama and Willow,

I met you folks for the first time in Paducah.  We had new blue and white valks and we were roomed in adjoining rooms at the Kings Inn ( or some name like that). We had chatted quite a bit and recognized Willow when you guys got involved with the VRCC admin functions.
I did not know about Willow's accident but it certainly does not seem to have changed his enthusiasm for the wonderful world of motorcyclig and the great friendship which is part of it.
I can understand the amazing test this has put both of you through but from what I gathered at Inzane this year the joy of life was certainly felt
May God bless both of you
bludragon

[Duffy]

Great response and pic Willow - love it!

Glad you are still with us too! 

[Black Pearl's Captain]

I'm very glad Carl has recovered so well in the last year. We still have a lot of rides to do together yet.

Raymond

[woefman]

WOw That was some story , glad to be in the same forum as willow good to know your back willow, I'm new so I had no idea . 

[thumper]

Had my picture taken with "Paul Sr." at Talledega Raceway a year before last at Cheaha Mt.

Glad you're back in the saddle. Ride safe.

[RedValk]

 This week will be sixteen years since my riding partner and I got hitched.  Even after all this time, sometimes I still get damp in the lap when she wraps her arms around me.

Congrats on the 16 years! it still amazes me just how many things you guys go to/show up at. Every time i turn around, you guys have gone (and 99% of the time, i do believe that means RIDDEN)....to yet another event...somewhere....and often...pretty far away!

Here's to many more years of joyful riding and wedding bliss!!!!!!!   

[Willow]

I'm very glad Carl has recovered so well in the last year. We still have a lot of rides to do together yet.

Yes we do!  

Congrats on the 16 years!    ...  

Here's to many more years of joyful riding and wedding bliss!!!!!!!  

Thanks for the congrats, Tim.  The benefit has all been mine.  It's been a rough ride for Lori, and I expect she's starting to wonder whether it's worth holding on for the insurance money.    

[Ms Old Skool]

I remember Brian calling me about Willow and my heart stopped for a second. I'm so grateful your situation turned out better than my mind. I don't how we would have handled losing Steve and Carl so close and your right about this group. There are not enough words to describe how I feel about them .

[f6gal]

Lori,
Mother Teresa once said, "I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."

Well, God must really trust you too, GF... 'cause he sure kept throwing stuff at you for awhile. 

(*You too Carl, but at least you had the assistance drug-induced unconsciousness.  )

We're certainly glad that Carl pulled through reasonably intact, and that Lori pulled through reasonably sane. 

[Jim_Orr]

  I am so glad everything has worked out good for both of you since that bad day.  I didn't know what to expect when I walked into the hospital room that day but even though Carl was clearly uncomfortable and in pain he could still smile and I knew then everything was going to be ok.  Lori was holding everything together and was already making plans for when Carl came home.  Raymond, Rhonda and Dana had already been up to work on the house to make it wheelchair acessible. 

  There is a picture somewhere showing me holding a three inch stack of emails sent by the VRCC members to Carl and Lori.  It is one thing to hear about it, but to actually see them says alot about Carl and Lori and how lucky we all are to belong to this organzation.   

  Cogratulations on the anniversity and wishing many many more.  Good Luck and God Bless

[Willow]

There is a picture somewhere showing me holding a three inch stack of emails sent by the VRCC members to Carl and Lori.  It is one thing to hear about it, but to actually see them says alot about Carl and Lori and how lucky we all are to belong to this organization. 

This is the pic, James.  As Lori points out, this was fully six days before I was evicted from the healthcare institution, so it doesn't show the complete bounty of the correspondence. 

It was a great and pleasant surprise to see you that Friday and, yes, we are blessed with a wonderful group of people in the VRCC community.

[dabull]

I know that feeling "dreaded phone call from a stranger that your loved one is in a ambulance headed for the hospital" from a mototcycle accident.  Glad it has all worked out for you and Willow.  I got to meet and visit with him in Frisco, what a great man.  Hope we can all learn from ours and others misfortunes.

News Flash:  Corduroy pillows are making headlines

[motomama]

There is a picture somewhere showing me holding a three inch stack of emails sent by the VRCC members to Carl and Lori.  It is one thing to hear about it, but to actually see them says alot about Carl and Lori and how lucky we all are to belong to this organization. 

This is the pic, James.  As Lori points out, this was fully six days before I was evicted from the healthcare institution, so it doesn't show the complete bounty of the correspondence. 

It was a great and pleasant surprise to see you that Friday and, yes, we are blessed with a wonderful group of people in the VRCC community.

Not only was that pic 6 days before he got out of the hospital, but does not include the emails, etc that he received when he had to go back in 2 weeks later.  I will never forget when the little gal came in to deliver the emails when he was in the hospital the 2nd time.  She told us when she got to work and opened the emails to print them, she couldn't believe how many there were!  And then she looked at the name and said then it made sense, because Carl was back!  She was only used to a couple of emails coming through each day, not 50 or more at a time! 

[Lil Bull]

So glad Willow made it through, and thank you for all your well wishes during my little scare yesterday. 

[Sharkey]

I had just started posting last year around this time. I got my bike on fathers day.  When I heard about Carl it just made my heart skip a beat. I know when riding danger is a reality we all face on a daily basis. I sent Carl an email,  not even knowing him at the time. I had heard about all the emails coming in, and I thought to myself what a great bunch of people. I always heard about riders helping broke down riders, and I thought what a great group of people.
Finally this year at Inzane I got to meet Carl in person. I liked him from the get go. Carl I glad you healed up Brother.

One last thing until I witnessed the selfless acts at the dinner ceremonies at Copper Mountain, I really had no idea of how great this club is.

[shortleg]

  Damn girl that,s what family is for.
      Shortleg[Dave]

[Bandit]

Wow Lori, it's hard to believe it's been a year since the accident.  Seeing you and Carl this summer it's also hard to believe he was even in such an accident, he seems to be doing so well physically.  But then it has been quite a year for both of you.  You've had your share as well.  Here's to a great rest of 2009. 

Love you both,
Ladybug

[Misfit]

The two of you mean so much to this club that our world would not be right without you. I am proud to have you as friends. I wish you only the best.