Family...

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Going to do my best here to not sound like I'm Parent bashing. My Mom left my Dad when I was very young and for whatever reason I did'nt go with her. My Grand-Parents raised me and did the best they could for me.To say the least my family on that side has always been "scattered" for lack of a better word.A couple weeks ago I called my little sister Mary Lynn to wish her happy birthday I had not seen her in 8 years or so. I offered to take her on a motorcycle ride and buy her supper for her birthday and she absolutely loved riding so yesterday we took a second ride across The Blue Ridge Parkway. I've had this empty spot in my heart all my life and it's a wonderful feeling to have someone from that side of my bloodline that loves me back in my life.

[Alien]

I understand where you're coming from all too well.  I've just recently started to reconnect with my mother's family and they all seem like strangers now.  My sister and I have always been close, I'm glad you got a chance to reconnect with yours.

Ride safe,

Scott

[GiG]

She must be the good-lookin one.
CHEERS! 

[Black Dog]

Good on ya Joe    The longer ya wait, the harder it is to get back together.  Sounds like you've reconnected, and have added another place at the holiday table 

Black Dog

[Rams]

I offered to take her on a motorcycle ride and buy her supper for her birthday and she absolutely loved riding so yesterday we took a second ride across The Blue Ridge Parkway. I've had this empty spot in my heart all my life and it's a wonderful feeling to have someone from that side of my bloodline that loves me back in my life.

Simply said, Excellent.  

Now, bring her to Inzane.  Put her on the back of your Valk or put her on one of your extras and ride.  

[..]

Joe, we ALL have families with skeletons in the closet.

My mother was a lady "looking for love" before she found my father.

The result was 2 half siblings to me.

My brother Terry, who I first met at the age of 11, has been a brother to me ever since. He's now 71.

The other half is a lady I met once and we seemed to have a mutual dislike of each other.

There are faint murmurings and whispers of another child but seeing as my mother died when I was 21 and there's no-one on her side of the family willing to confirm / deny it I'll never know.

Oh well, life goes on.  

[Bark2]

 

Next will be riding lessons and loaning one of your Valks.

[Misfit]

Thats cool Joe. I am glad for you and your sister. 

[Jack]

 

[flamingobabe #44]

most familys have their quirks.............glad for you and your sister

[hubcapsc]

She must be the good-lookin one.
CHEERS! 

Joe was handsome before they punched him in the nose 

I hope it was cool for y'all up on the parkway yesterday... we were supposed to
go over 100 again yesterday, but the previous day's nasty storms left us with
cloud cover, the thermometer at my house never went much past 80...

-Mike

[Hef]

Very happy you made the re-connect Joe.   Nothing like having family who loves you. I come from a very close-knit family and especially one of my brothers and I are very, very close. He's my go-to guy and I do the same for him. We also ride together a lot. Have always had the same interest and enjoyed the same activities. We don't spend as much time together now because we both have grandkids which rank at the top for getting grandpa's attention but the bond is still there. Hope you can continue the relationship. Best Wishes, Hef

[eric in md]

Going to do my best here to not sound like I'm Parent bashing. My Mom left my Dad when I was very young and for whatever reason I did'nt go with her. My Grand-Parents raised me and did the best they could for me.To say the least my family on that side has always been "scattered" for lack of a better word.A couple weeks ago I called my little sister Mary Lynn to wish her happy birthday I had not seen her in 8 years or so. I offered to take her on a motorcycle ride and buy her supper for her birthday and she absolutely loved riding so yesterday we took a second ride across The Blue Ridge Parkway. I've had this empty spot in my heart all my life and it's a wonderful feeling to have someone from that side of my bloodline that loves me back in my life.

awesome dude ... its on now joe . sure makes you feel good i like it .

[Gary]

That's great that you were able to share some wind together. My big sis and I don't get together much, a lot due to some family issues.

A few years back I managed to get her out to my place and we did the same, shared some wind and a few days for her birthday.

Just seeing the pic's brings back some heart warming sentiment.



Glad you two got the chance to spend some time together. 

[cookiedough]

congrats on the reconnect, doesn't always happen like that, enjoy!

After my grandma died on my mom's side a long time ago and left 90% of the money (not much really anyways) to 1 of the 11 children, all hell broke loose.  All remaining 10 children take sides and are not close anymore.  Seems silly to fight over 1,000's of dollars if you ask me.  My mom is the oldest and one of the calmest and most sensible, but most (not all) of my other aunts and uncles I could care less to see them anyways.  Sad, but true.

Only time I see my aunts and uncles and even cousins now is at funerals like the one last week first time I saw my one cousin same age as me since we were like age 10 at my grandma and grandpa's house at Xmas. 

It's sad really since I think more and more families (aunts and uncles and cousins) do not spend time with one another like when we were kids.  We seem to grow up, raise our own families, and do not visit each other anymore for one reason or another. 

[hal47]

Gald you reconnected Joe,family is the most inportant thing in life,at least thats the way I see it. Share some more wind with her.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

That's great that you were able to share some wind together. My big sis and I don't get together much, a lot due to some family issues.

A few years back I managed to get her out to my place and we did the same, shared some wind and a few days for her birthday.

Just seeing the pic's brings back some heart warming sentiment.



Glad you two got the chance to spend some time together. 

Cool response Gary    Thank you for sharing it made me smile 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

She must be the good-lookin one.
CHEERS!  

Joe was handsome before they punched him in the nose  

I hope it was cool for y'all up on the parkway yesterday... we were supposed to
go over 100 again yesterday, but the previous day's nasty storms left us with
cloud cover, the thermometer at my house never went much past 80...

-Mike

WOW Mike did you just give me a compliment I can't tell   It's true I had cosmetic surgery to " FIX " my broken nose at age 23 and not long after that got it broken again and noway in hell was I going through that ordeal again my whole face swelled up from the surgery and I could'nt even open my eyes. I guess that's why I pack now cause I'm gettin' to old to fight and I'm to proud to run  


The Blue Ridge Parkway was awesome yesterday with perfect ridin' weather we even made the hike up to the top of The Devil's Courthouse something I've been wanting to do for years....Outstanding place to check out .


Shot of my bike from the top.



The trail .




Couple veiws from the top of The Devils Courthouse.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Joe, we ALL have families with skeletons in the closet.

My mother was a lady "looking for love" before she found my father.

The result was 2 half siblings to me.

My brother Terry, who I first met at the age of 11, has been a brother to me ever since. He's now 71.

The other half is a lady I met once and we seemed to have a mutual dislike of each other.

There are faint murmurings and whispers of another child but seeing as my mother died when I was 21 and there's no-one on her side of the family willing to confirm / deny it I'll never know.

Oh well, life goes on.  

Thanks for sharing this Paul 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

 I was out of touch with my father for 40 years ( his life decisions and choice) and reconnected about 3 years ago. He lives in PA so I don't see him much but talk occasionally now and am happy he is back in my life. Family is VERY important to me and should be to everyone.

Joe, I am really happy you reconnected with your sister and have found some joy in it. She's fortunate to have you in her life as well.

[Dubsvalk]

Joe,  You deserve the good things happening in your life right now!  Good ofr you and your sis!
Dubs

[MP]

Congrats, Joe!   

Glad you got back together.   Now, just keep in contact.

MP

[Fritz The Cat]

For some reason apparently know but to God, my family disintegrated when mom died. She was the glue that held us all together. I've asked all of my siblings why nobody wanted to get together on holidays and special occasion and none of them has a clue. my older sister says everyone is busy living their own lives. I asked her what changed when mom died, she said she didn't know and didn't seem to care. I hardly ever go out of my way to call or visit them anymore. I occasionally run into them at the grocery store and other public places and we always end up sayin' "ya'll come see us" but we never do. If you belong to a close, strong family, count your blessings.   

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

All you folks that posted to this thread I'd like to say thank you...Every response was postive 

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

That's awesome Joe. I'm really glad for both of you.

My brother Bill and I were close when I was young then had a "parting of the ways" when my brother Larry was killed in a wreck in 1982. We finally got back on speaking terms a few years before his death but lost a lot of years in between.

Now I'm the only one left and it's too late to make up any time with my parents or brothers. Good for you and your Sis Bro. 

I know what you mean about the nose surgery. I had mine pulled back out and fixed when I was 14, then broke it again in my mid twenties. I didn't bother going to the doc that time. Last thing I'd ever want is having another 47' of bloody gauze pulled out of my nose while I gag, choke and cough. Nasty. 

[robin]

You need to bring her to one of the rides and meet all of your extended family i'm sure she will be welcomed  with open arms!!!!

[JimmyG]

Ain't life great? Way to go Joe.

[Hoser]

I met up with my little sis and her hubby on my way to South Dakota a couple weeks ago, for breakfast.  I really don't see her enough.  Hooked up for an overnight stay at my younger brothers house on the way home.  Ditto on the not often enough.  Hoser  

[Lil D]

Taking the high road, let's us let go of some history, and start fresh.  Good for you, you share a bloodline,  and I'm sure that you each can add more info about the family and past.

Enjoy the renewed relationship..... It's all good...

[Tundra]

Thats awesome Joe

[BigAl]

Good Job Big Brother

Now you have another friend and a loving sister.

Good investment those two rides yall took.

Business man constantly making business decisions.

[T-Bird]

Joe, this was a touching story. I appreciate how you have shared this with us. I didn't know that we had led similiar lives. My Dad left us right after I was born, because of a older brother who was born mildly retarded. He just couldn't handle it, and when I came along he just took off. We were raised by my grandparents while my mother worked 2 jobs to support us. I didn't keep in touch with my Dad and didn't even go to his funeral.  My Grandparents have all been long gone and I still have my mother who has since remarried and lives in Indiana.  I have seen after my "Special" brother my whole adult life, and refuse to put him in a home. He is 60 yrs young and lights up my life.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Joe, this was a touching story. I appreciate how you have shared this with us. I didn't know that we had led similiar lives. My Dad left us right after I was born, because of a older brother who was born mildly retarded. He just couldn't handle it, and when I came along he just took off. We were raised by my grandparents while my mother worked 2 jobs to support us. I didn't keep in touch with my Dad and didn't even go to his funeral.  My Grandparents have all been long gone and I still have my mother who has since remarried and lives in Indiana.  I have seen after my "Special" brother my whole adult life, and refuse to put him in a home. He is 60 yrs young and lights up my life.

Very cool Terry ....I knew you was a good one 

[Gear Jammer]

cool story Joe,,,,   And I knew there was a good reason for liking Terry,,,

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Good Job Big Brother

Now you have another friend and a loving sister.

Good investment those two rides yall took.

Business man constantly making business decisions.

I've seen my sister several times over the years mostly when someone had died and we was at the funeral . You got that right Al without those motorcycle rides and the talks we've had while out sharing the wind this may have never happened. I have another sister as well however I would never think she and I would have the same " click " that Mary Lynn and I share.

[hubcapsc]

There's a parking lot kind of like that at the top of Roan Mountain, and there's a trail up to
the top from there. When you walk up the trail, you don't see BRP-style mountain vistas,
you're in an "alpine" meadow... Several of us walked up there at the second Johnson
City InZane, and we looked down at our bikes... I've ridden by there since then, we all
went by there on Britman's Memorial Day ride...




You need to bring her to one of the rides and meet all of your extended family i'm sure she will be welcomed  with open arms!!!!



-Mike

[GreenLantern57]

It's nice to reconnect. Great stories there!

[Thespian]

 I'm raising grand children now Joe, and it's because family should take care of each other. It's the way I was raised. Glad you have been able to reconnect.   

[Hoser]

I'm raising grand children now Joe, and it's because family should take care of each other. It's the way I was raised. Glad you have been able to reconnect.   

Well, Thespian, we have something in common, Good on you.  You too, Joe, sisters are great! 

[Jabba]

I think most of us have someone "special" in our families.  Me... I Had a good childhood.  My Ol'Man was a drunk... but he wasn't a MEAN drunk.  My Mom was a saint.  She died when I was 19.  Dad died when I was 22.

I have 4 siblings... all older. 

I now run a home for homeless family members.  My older brother, 11 years my senior, lives with me.  As does HIS daughter, her boyfriend, and her 2 daughters, one of which is special needs with cerebral palsey. 

I really like having my brother around.  He helps out a lot.  I took his daughter in almost a year ago hoping to help her get back on her feet.  She's not doing much toward that end.  We need to have a "Come to Jesus" talk.

I am on pretty good terms with my other siblings too, and I lost one last June. 

Joe, I am glad you got to reconnect.  It's funny how people that fight like dogs when they are kids... get along fine when they are adults.  You just have to let go of the dumb crap you did to each other as kids.  Family is family.  And when everything else goes bad... all you got is your BEST friends and family.

Jabba