Daniel's "What's in a Name

I just read Daniels post. It reminded me of a post that I made some years back shortly before my wife died. Lots of water over the dam since then. I no longer ride, my wife has been gone for 15 years, and my Valkyrie now belongs to Deb Gallo but still has the same name.

My little story had the same title but differs from Daniels story since I can't write like him. So here is a little tribute to a companion long gone but still remembered.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? (2001)

I have never named any of the many motorcycles that I have owned. I don't know why. Certainly all of them deserved some kind of name. However I never gave it a thought until now.

Today, my wife told me that I should go riding. No big deal, you might say. You're right except that my wife told me by mouthing the words because she has a tracheotomy. You see, since January of this year my wife of 44 years has been twice taken to the hospital by ambulance suffering from what is known as respiratory failure. In fact she is in the hospital as I write this, recovering after spending over 14 days in intensive care. Day after day, I have been at the hospital and I now know the full meaning of the words that the wife and I uttered many years ago "in sickness and in health". I have worried and prayed, along with our family, friends, and church members for my wife's health to be restored. Now it appears that our prayers are being answered. My wife of 44 years, who has only ridden once with me on a new 1955 Matchless twin, now has told me to go riding!

It is the next day. The weather is so-so for Indiana this time of year, the sun is shining but it is cool and quite windy. I start the Valkyrie, put on the riding gear and go. Although northern Indiana is flat and offers no real challenge to me, I chose a route that I have traveled much, Wayne Trace southeast of Ft. Wayne. It has a few curves but nothing to tax the Valk's suspension and power. The hum of the Valkyrie's engine changes to a snarl as I twist the throttle. The wind rushes past my helmet, the rhythm of the road lifts my spirit, and I am free once again to sample the satisfying peace and relaxation that this sport still brings to me, even after almost fifty years of riding. The Valk hums along as though it can sense my mood, its six cylinders droning quietly in tune with my thinking. As I countersteer through the few turns that Wayne Trace offers, I am aware that I am approaching Monroeville Road and my curvy ride is just about to end. In this peaceful setting, I realize that this motorcycle will be my first to have a name. I have chosen a name that will remind me of our family trials in the last few months and the peace that I have come to know while riding.

Though this name at first, might seem at odds with the name that Honda has given my motorcycle, since one name is a MYTH and the other name is the TRUTH, this doesn't bother me. The name fits. I have decided to name my motorcycle Emanuel. God With Us. I can't think of a more fitting name

Wayne, Still Solo1