There’s a red Jeep in front of me today. Not like it’s that unusual but it catches my eye because it’s got California plates. Through the back window I can see that there’s a woman driving the Jeep and a young boy sitting in the back seat. I start wondering why they’re in Wisconsin. She’s not just passing through. She’s taking a back route that only local commuters use to avoid the highway morning gridlock. She probably just moved here and hasn’t changed the plates on her vehicle yet. Why would she move here from California? It can’t be because of the weather. Today is the first time in 6 months that the morning temperature has been above 50 degrees. So the reason has to be worse than enduring a Wisconsin winter. Maybe she left California in order to get away from an abusive relationship. Yeah, that’s probably it. She grabbed her son in the middle of the night, threw some clothes in the back of that Jeep and left town as fast as she could.
Seems like she’s checking me out. She keeps looking in her rear-view mirror when we’re stopped at the lights. Not that I blame her. I’m looking pretty good today. Wait a minute! The boy is turning around. He’s got to be about 5 or 6 years old, curly brown hair with freckles. Cute kid. He gives me a half-smile as if to say, “I like you biker-guy but you kinda scare me.” I drop my bike in neutral and give him a little wave. His little face lights up like Madison Avenue and he bares a huge toothy grin as he waves back to me. In her rear-view mirror, I can see that his mom’s face has changed and she is smiling now also. I think that I have now become their topic of conversation at dinner tonight. “Hey Mom! Did you see the man on the motorcycle wave to me?” “Yes dear. That was pretty nice.”
It gets me wondering. What effect will my little wave have on his perceptions of motorcycles? Will he forget about me by tomorrow? Or will he carry the memory of that chance encounter for the rest of his life? He is intent on watching me out the back window now as we motor down the road together. He keeps his eyes fixed on me even after they take a left-hand turn and start to drive away from me. The thought of his face lingers in my mind for a while and makes me smile.
I think it’s going to be a good day…
Thursday, May 21, 2009
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12 comments:
That's a bit deeper in thought than I usually go, but I get your drift. I remember being a kid, and getting all toothy when a biker would give me the Fonzy Thumb up, or the peace sign. Never forgot those moments. Some are what sparked my interest to ride.
Good job!!
Every time we ride we make an impression on someone - is it good or is another negative about bikers? I like it when people assume that I ride a Harley because of my gray ponytail and beard and I get to chuckle when I tell them that I wear a helmet everytime I get on the Goldwing :).Hopefully they go away realizing that their mental stereotypes may need adjusting.
woohoo!!..another soon to be biker :) that makes for a special morning wakeup ride, very cool
Your post made me smile, I think you're right, it's going to be a good day!
This is what makes riding fun. I've waved or smiled at kids in the back of their parents chariots before too. It's pretty cool.
I like to think I make a good impression on them. They can look at me and say... "I want one like that lady's got". LOL!
Ride on little bikers! Woo Hoo!
What a great encounter!!! I think he's still thinking about you today. Way to make the little guy's day.
I just about felt like I had to climb my ass up and out of this post it was so deep! Very cool brother; I enjoyed it. Things like that do make you wonder.
Now I feel guilty for wearing my glow-in-the-dark skull face neck warmer. There were a few times I pulled up at lights this spring wearing that where I thought the little kids in the car - and their parents - were going to shit themselves! I see I need to work on my image a bit...
Oh yes, glad u had a good day!
I'm sitting here smiling because of how closely this post reflects the kinds of thoughts I've had while riding....guess I'm not alone, huh?
Thanks for a great read!
Good post. I always give the little kids a wave - it brings a smile to my face too...
Mr. M - I usually indulge the little ones and hope it's an encounter that they always remember.
Dave - Funny how people's stereotypes pigeon hole you as a Harley rider just because you're a gray-beard. Thanx for stopping by.
Ms. M - It was indeed a special morning ride! Too bad that the boy will never know what he did for me.
B.B. - Glad I made you smile. And IT WAS a good day!
Lady R - I think you not give them a good impression but you're an inspiration to the little girls. The too can ride!!
IHG - Like I said before...
I don't think he realizes how much he made MY day.
Joker - Sorry for taking it so deep. I have the exact face warmer and also often wonder what people are thinking when they see me.
Sarch - Thought you were alone? I did too until I found my blogging family. Thanx for stopping by.
Canajun - Funny how such a simple act can make your day seem brighter.
DDay, lol! I have you pegged brother. This was the final piece to the puzzle for me.
Well, the kid is going to think all bikers are really cool. Then he is going to buy a bike so he can be cool. Then the bikers are going to kick his ass and take his bike.
He is gonna be real confused now thanks to you. You're a dick dude.
Whaaaaaat? Lol, just yankin'. This was a good read. I can totally relate to it. I do my best. Still working on it.
You have gone and screwed up another kid dude. I guess this was for a good cause though. We're gonna need the younger riders around to talk all our bullshit to.
Oh yeah...I would say that you did the rest of us right by the way. He'll remember it. I know I did.
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