Family...

[santa]

God, Family, Country. God will take care of us if we take care of our families. Even if you may not like a family member they are still FAMILY, make the effort again and again and again. There is only so-much time in our life's There are Blood line familes and others such as the VRCC we may argue but we are still FAMILY.
Santa

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

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

I've never had one cross word with any of my sister's or my Mom for that matter. We just lived in different worlds ....My Mom had them and I did'nt go just saw them every now and then even as a kid. Hoping to fix that and have someone from that side of the family back in my life. The rides and talk's Mary Lynn and I have shared has showed me just how much I need her in my life.

[solo1]

Late in posting ,Joe, because of the power outage here but I'm glad for you to get together with a member of your family.  Family is important.  They add a roundness to the missing 'something'.

I was blessed to have wonderful parents even though Dad was sick.  I had four sisters, all stayed in Ft. Wayne and we kept in contact.  My parents and all of my sisters have now passed but we got along fine when they were living.

Now i have four kids, three ride motorcycles and we just had a July 4th cookout yesterday with all present.  I have been blessed!   I wish the same for you Joe!

Wayne, solo1

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Late in posting ,Joe, because of the power outage here but I'm glad for you to get together with a member of your family.  Family is important.  They add a roundness to the missing 'something'.

I was blessed to have wonderful parents even though Dad was sick.  I had four sisters, all stayed in Ft. Wayne and we kept in contact.  My parents and all of my sisters have now passed but we got along fine when they were living.

Now i have four kids, three ride motorcycles and we just had a July 4th cookout yesterday with all present.  I have been blessed!   I wish the same for you Joe!

Wayne, solo1

Thanks Wayne ... It seems the older I get the more I think about all the things I should've , could've all the did's and did not's.

[SmokinSis]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

[..]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

Mary Lynn, you don't know what you've done. You'll never get rid of him now. 

He'll be calling you up all the time asking if you wanne go ride.

Maybe you should learn to ride yourself. After all he's got 3 bikes sitting there 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

Welcome to the VRCC  Sis     Great handle and it fit's you  I hope and pray that from here on out that you are in my heart and in my life. I enjoyed riding with you and look forward to our next ride...I love you.

[T.P.]

That is just a WAY COOL story.   

[Valkahuna]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

Welcome to the VRCC  Sis     Great handle and it fit's you   I hope and pray that from here on out that you are in my heart and in my life. I enjoyed riding with you and look forward to our next ride...I love you.

Wow! You both made all those little gnats start flying around and getting into my eyes making them water. I think it's great how you both came back together. Obviously it's great for you both, and happened at the right time of your lives. Good for you both. 

To me there is nothing more important than family. Being born in Europe, seeing my father unable to reconnect with his family after WW2, it was until after he died in '86 and after the Iron Curtain had fallen that I met anyone from his family. His half brother is only 2 years older than me, and we are more like brothers than Uncle and Nephew. Because while growing up there was never anyone (My only brother died when he was 8 months old, and I was 8 years old) I always wished that I had a family of my own. When got married, and I had my own family, I vowed that nothing would ever come before them. And nothing ever did, does, or will! I thank God for them every day.

Congratulations to both of you for recognizing how important you are to each other, and that being together made you both stronger. Don't ever let anything trivial come between you, and may God Bless you and yours!

[Charlie McCready]

Welcome SmokinSis......I think everyone here is awed by your and Joe's reconnection.  That's the way it's supposed to be. Don't let little things get in the way of life now. ........Joe is a bad habit you know !!!!!

[Chattanooga Mark]

Really happy for you and your sister Joe.

Great post,

Mark

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Welcome SmokinSis. Can't express how happy I am for you both. Awesome. 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

Damn gnats getting in my eyes. Thankyou to you both for sharing your beautiful story with us. I couldn't be happier for you both.  Sooner or later I'll get another ride in with Joe and his gang. Hope to meet you then. Dave

[SANDMAN5]

Good deal! It's obvious she got the looks in the family!

[Rams]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

Oh my, damn.  That's one of the most touching posts I've ever read. 
Stop it and stop it now, I'm not used to this kind of stuff.  I can't have folks seeing me getting all soft. 

Well, now that you've joined in the fun, I'm expecting to see you here more often. 

Let's ride!

[Jess Tolbirt]

i just now was able to post on this thread cause every time i went to post those knats start flying around and i couldnt see the keyboard,,and now this,,again,,,ok ok this is just cool as hell,,makes me happy inside for you two..

[R J]

My family was a meet, greet and eat bunch of people when I was little.

Seems every Sunday we gathered at Grandma's house for dinner, play games and fight like hell.     When the adults had enough from us, we got our heads knocked together and told to go set, and talk peacefully to each other for awhile.

I attended these Sunday get togethers till I went into the Marines.

When I got my discharge and back home that had all ceased.    Older ones had died off and the younger ones said screw it.

So I haven't seen one of these events in our family for about 60+ years.    I think the younger ones, me included, just put our kids and grandkids to the top of the priority list and the rest of the family fell down a few rungs.     Currently, I'm the oldest one living on my parents side, that be both, mom and dad's.     

[Skinhead]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

Welcome SmokinSis!

I think you will like it here.  I'm happy for the two of you.  Enjoy the future together as family.  (like was mentioned above, learn to ride, Joe will share his toys)

[SmokinSis]

My family was a meet, greet and eat bunch of people when I was little.

Seems every Sunday we gathered at Grandma's house for dinner, play games and fight like hell.     When the adults had enough from us, we got our heads knocked together and told to go set, and talk peacefully to each other for awhile.

I attended these Sunday get togethers till I went into the Marines.

When I got my discharge and back home that had all ceased.    Older ones had died off and the younger ones said screw it.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
So I haven't seen one of these events in our family for about 60+ years.    I think the younger ones, me included, just put our kids and grandkids to the top of the priority list and the rest of the family fell down a few rungs.     Currently, I'm the oldest one living on my parents side, that be both, mom and dad's.

We had the same kind of family get togethers growing up, I miss those so much. Our grandmother, (or mammaw,remember I'm a country girl) had 9 kids which all had several kids of their own so we were all spread out by age & location but we stopped getting together when her health got bad. After that, we only got together for funerals. I'm sad to say that we don't even get to make all of those either anymore. But as I get older, I have learned that family is more important than anything. And unlike Joey, I will do a little parent bashing. Our mom is a good person. She's a hard worker, never breaks any rules or laws, pays all of her taxes, but has 3 kids & several grandkids, but only has room for her 1 daughter & her 2 kids. That has ate at me very hard over the years & Joey is the only person in the world that could soften that hard, cold, empty spot she has put in my heart. In fact, he's helping me learn to forgive her & our sister. I know now more than ever that it's really her loss. She's the one who's missing out. Joey came back into my life at a very crucial time. He's showing me that someone still cares about me for me, not what I can do for them. Plus, he's showing me some very cool sites from the back of his bike, and has introduced me to some of the nicest people I've ever met. Every single person that has posted on this message board has shown me that the world isn't as bad as I thought it was. Thanks again for sharing guys       

[Cliff]

Great to hear read this kind of stuff!!!!!!

[Reb]

Family always first, even if they are a bunch of hillbilly's

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Am I the only one that feels Joe needs to change his name to SmokinJoey ?? 

[smokey2255]

... It seems the older I get the more I think about all the things I should've , could've all the did's and did not's.

Joe, we can't live in the past. It will eat you up.  All families have our skelatons. Just part of life. All we can do and the best we can do is hope to do is "the next right thing".  You are a good man, we all know this. You should see you from our perspective.  All good.  Looking forward to sharing the wind again my friend.

See you out there
Smokey

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I don't really know how to thank everyone for all the kind words you folks have shared here. I have my little sister back in my life and plan to never let her go . I had no idea just what I've been missing all these years without really knowing her. The motorcycle rides was what did it we got to be alone and just talk and hang out she is a beautiful person with a heart to match . Thank you VRCC members I'll never forget the folks that commented to this just like I'll never forget all the folks that had my grand-daughter Presley in your thoughts in prayers when she needed them the most....I'm very proud to be a part of this club 

[Rams]

Some things are more important.  Knowing what those things and people are is what makes us what we are. 

You done good Joe.  Don't know you or your sis but, I'd be proud to share a little wind with you, her or both of ya anytime.  Seriously, if she can go, you should bring her along to Inzane.  You know everyone wants to meet her.  How cool would that be.   

Hopefully, I'll meet both of ya at Inzane.  Ride safe.

[wiggydotcom]

There are rides....and there are rides! Reconnecting with family like you did, Joe, is a bucket lister. To be able to share the wind on the Valk makes it what it's all about.

Thanks for sharing that! Looking forward to meeting you at IZ.

[Willow]

... That has ate at me very hard over the years & Joey is the only person in the world that could soften that hard, cold, empty spot she has put in my heart. In fact, he's helping me learn to forgive her & our sister. I know now more than ever that it's really her loss. She's the one who's missing out. Joey came back into my life at a very crucial time. He's showing me that someone still cares about me for me, not what I can do for them. Plus, he's showing me some very cool sites from the back of his bike, and has introduced me to some of the nicest people I've ever met. Every single person that has posted on this message board has shown me that the world isn't as bad as I thought it was. Thanks again for sharing guys  

Mary Lynn, it's a great story to hear.  I'm glad you're beginning the healing process and you're quite right.  She's the one missing out.  Forgiving salves the wounds while bitterness only causes them to fester.

Joey is a good man.  We all love him too, but in a manly love sort of way.     Joe just rides around and helps people.  Every now and then his helping manages to help him too.  This was one of those special times.

I'm very happy that you and Joe have re-bonded and my best wishes are that the connection will continue to grow ever stronger and tighter.  May God bless you both.   

[SmokinSis]

Ok Dave, only little sisters can call Joe, Joey   Just like my name, anybody that calls me Mary is someone that I don't really know. When someone says Mary it takes me a minute to answer. We were supposed to go on a ride today but mother nature had different plans. My tomatoes needed it, but I was really looking forward to another ride with my brother. We've got 1 planned for next week, I just pray we have better weather then.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Ok Dave, only little sisters can call Joe, Joey   Just like my name, anybody that calls me Mary is someone that I don't really know. When someone says Mary it takes me a minute to answer. We were supposed to go on a ride today but mother nature had different plans. My tomatoes needed it, but I was really looking forward to another ride with my brother. We've got 1 planned for next week, I just pray we have better weather then.

[f6gal]

Welcome SmokinSis!

Come on out to InZane with Joey and meet the rest of your "family."

[hubcapsc]

only little sisters can call Joe, Joey

... and Gordon...

-Mike

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

only little sisters can call Joe, Joey

... and Gordon...

-Mike

Most of the folks that have known me all my life do call me Joey as does all my family.

[Novavalker]

Welcome to the VRCC family SmokinSis!

I'm happy you and Joe have reconnected.  The people here are great and always help each other out. I'm from Canada and had the pleasure of meeting Joe a few years ago at the Blue and the Gray ride at Gettysburg. He made feel very welcome and since then this upcoming Inzane will be my third event with the VRCC. I think its really cool you and Joe can share time together cruising on his Valkyrie's. I wish you all the best.

[SmokinSis]

I would love to go to InZane, wish we would have got back in touch sooner so we could have planned it. I need a get away, but not too sure my car would make the trip or I would run away & join you all. I would really love to get to meet you all & spend a little more time with Joey. Mother nature  messed up our last ride. I hope you guys have good weather & a safe trip, hopefully I might get to come another time. Send me some pictures, lots of them please!!!

[Misfit]

Bummer! There are a bunch of us going to be disappointed that you won't make it. I thought for sure that you would catch a ride with one of the Wild Bunch. The biggest problem with missing this one, once you find out how much fun it is it will be one that you will never get back. I do look forward to seeing you next year though. Riding motorcycles gets in your blood. Once it's there you can't shake it. I figure that if you keep riding with Joe there won't be any keeping you away next year. Good luck to you. 

[Rams]

I would love to go to InZane, wish we would have got back in touch sooner so we could have planned it. I need a get away, but not too sure my car would make the trip or I would run away & join you all. I would really love to get to meet you all & spend a little more time with Joey. Mother nature  messed up our last ride. I hope you guys have good weather & a safe trip, hopefully I might get to come another time. Send me some pictures, lots of them please!!!

Car?  We don't need no stink'n car, we'ves got two wheelers.  

There isn't a doubt in my mind that if you hinted that you wanted to go, there would be an open seat for you so, let's not have anymore excuses.    Ya know what they say about excuses, everybody's got one and they all stink.    See ya at Inzane hopefully.  

[SmokinSis]

You guys are awesome! Me & Joe have talked about the ride later in the fall. I will hopefully make that one for sure. I really want to meet you all, and am so very grateful to my brother for introducing me to this club and for showing me how to have fun again. Checking out the sites from the back of his Valkyrie has opened up a whole new world for me & I'm loving every single minute of it. We were supposed to go for a ride Thursday, but of course, the weather doesn't look like a good day to go, so we're shooting for Friday now. I hope everyone has a great time at Inzane & I'll be checking the board for pictures so send some my way.

[eric in md]

Family always first, even if they are a bunch of hillbilly's

damnit boy i anit no stink hillbilly ..

[eric in md]

It took me longer than I thought to be able to post on the message board, but I'm finally on here. I am Mary Lynn, Smokinjoe's little sis. I want to thank each & everyone of you for your kind words & support. We grew up in seperate homes & I always wanted to spend more time together. I swore that once I grew up I would make sure that we did so. Before I knew it, I had a kid to raise & that changes everything. Now my kids are pretty much grown & living their own lives. I started feeling forgotten. Then Joey called to wish me a happy birthday & asked me to go on a ride. It was as if I had been in the dark and someone turned on the lights. We live in a cold, crazy world. It was so nice to spend time with someone who appreciates you & enjoys your company as much as you do theirs. We've been on a couple of rides so far & I'm hooked. I feel so free & alive riding with him. Thank you big brother, I love you with all my heart. I can't wait til we take that next ride. Again, thanks guys for your support & for sharing your stories.

Welcome to the VRCC  Sis     Great handle and it fit's you  I hope and pray that from here on out that you are in my heart and in my life. I enjoyed riding with you and look forward to our next ride...I love you.

ok listen up joey. what a awesome story your telling , really cant wait to meet your lil sister . life is really starting to look up for you joey im proud to call ya my ol lil buddy . just dont tell gorden he is my buddy also .  all i have to say is Its on .  love ya mean it 

[czuch]

Never think nobody cares. These folks are just like family. Lookie a couple of the more political type threads and then look at one like this or the Dog one. Were a big family.  Welcome to the madness.
Ya gotta really big family now. GNATSSSS!!!!!