Friday, October 26, 2007

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I read this poem at Meggie's Stuff yesterday and I loved it. As bikers, my husband and I get some looks when we pull up to get gas. I'm used to it. In fact, when I see someone staring at us, I just smile and make Kenny rev his engine a little more. Those same people don't even notice us when we're driving in our Jeep Cherokee. Or when we're in Kenny's extended cab Ford truck (the yuppie mobiles, as we call them.) I posted a while back about the generosity of bikers, of which I'm sure at least some of you were not aware. You can read my previous post here. In the meantime, read this poem. And think about it the next time you see a biker.

I saw you, hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But, you didn't see me, put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you, pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But, you didn't see me, playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you, change your mind about going into the restaurant. But, you didn't see me, attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you, roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by. But, you didn't see me, driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you, frown at me when I smiled at your children. But, you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you, stare at my long hair. But, you didn't see me, and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you, roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves. But, you didn't see me, and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.

I saw you, look in fright at my tattoos. But, you didn't see me, cry as my children were born and have their name written over and in my tattoo heart.

I saw you, change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But, you didn't see me, going home to be with my family.

I saw you, complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be. But, you didn't see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you, yelling at your kids in the car. But, you didn't see me, pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you, reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. But, you didn't see me, squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you, race down the road in the rain. But, you didn't see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you, run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But, you didn't see me, trying to turn right.

I saw you, cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But, you didn't see me, leave the road.

I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But, you didn't see me. I wasn't there.

I saw you, go home to your family. But, you didn't see me. Because, I died that day you cut me off. I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But, you didn't see me.

Repost this around in hopes that people will understand the biker community. I hope you never lose someone that rides.

Author unknown~~

31 comments:

Mary said...

You're right; we do tend to judge others too quickly. Of course, we shouldn't really judge others at all.

I always think that is one of the most difficult of all Christian strictures to follow. After all, our ancestors survived by making quick judgements about the threat level of animals and other humans. It's in our DNA.

I always think it must be fun to ride -- I'd just be way too chicken to ever try it! LOL
xoxo,
Mary

Alice said...

We've had many friends who have had bike accidents caused by careless drivers. I don't remember even one where the biker was at fault.

Kristen said...

I know that many of the bikers organizations do so much volunteer work in the community! There are so many blessings offered by these people! When we judge based on the appearance of a person, we are playing with fire. It is easy to do, but we can overcome it with much hard work.

BittersweetPunkin said...

Very moving post Julie....I remember seeing it a ways back but forgot about it.
Blessings,
Robin

From the Doghouse said...

Excellent poem. And, with vehicles getting larger and larger, even cars can fall out of view until it's too late.

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Oh Julie this poem brought tears to my eyes! We have lost a few friends to trucks and cars not seeing them on their bikes!
Its so sad that people don't respect the bikers!

Hugz, Dolly

mayberry said...

This was a good post. Thanks for sharing!

Anita said...

OMG, Julie, you don't know how many friends I have had who have died just this way... And they were all some of the best people I have ever known...
This one made tears come, and I NEVER CRY...
I will post it, if it's all right...
Thank you so much for this!!!

Nunnie's Attic said...

By all means - anyone wishing to post this, please do. The more people aware of bikers on the road, the better.

Love,
Julie

shelbi said...

i have a dream in my heart to become a biker...my whole life i have had this dream. God bless you and your husband and don't let the judgements of others bring you down. i pity those who do this. i just posted about the 'interior' of our homes...it's the heart of who we are and the gratitude we share with the world that make us true 'human' beings.

always loving your blog!
hugs
shelbi

FarmHouse Style said...

I read this at Meggie's also. My husband rides a cross bike and it is always my fear that someone's carelessness could harm or even kill him.

Take care out there:)

Rhonda

Unknown said...

Hi Julie,

I think that poem applies in alot of different situations. We judge too quickly based upon bias too many times. My sweetie had a bike when we were young but I was always such a chicken about it. Have a great weekend!

BEST OF THE NEST said...

Everyone should read this ! Really makes you think about how quickly we jump just on appearances...thanks for the post

Webmaster said...

All the bikers I've ever known have been so very generous and such warm people. It's an unfair stereotype, IMO.
Thanks for posting this!

lori said...

The thing I could post on and on about it JUDGING!! As homeschoolers you can imagine the looks and ques we get...IF they only knew and those who know us KNOW! I get it...A friend told me just the other day, 'you are the least judgemental person I know..' At one time, I would have loved to hear...'the most gorgeous...' BUT now...judgemental MADE me smile! That is what I want to be!
I hope everyone reads this..seriously, "Can't we ALL just get along..." :) You know if we would really only 'hate' what is evil and give eveyone else a chance, what a fabulous world this would be!!
Let's start HERE...no more judging bikers, homeschoolers, other denominations...and anyone else who wants to jump on the back of the BIKE...(I'm scared though...only been on one once...leaned the wrong way..oh man.........:))
You GO GIRL!!
~peace and safety on that bike...the hills of PA can be a dangerous place! take it easy on the curves!
lori

Linda said...

Julie, this touched my heart....it's like the old saying, you can't judge a book by it's cover. Look forward to the pictures:). linda

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

it never occured to me to do those things...i am sorry that they happen...have a good weekend...blessings, rebecca

Bethany said...

We all need eye-openers like this post!!! We've lost family members who rode motorcycles in accidents... I'm scared of the bikes, not the people who ride them!!!!

blessings said...

Books and covers... I used to shirk a bit until I got to know a few bikers. Now, not that this defines us but... we love the Harley Davidson restaurant and truck stops for breakfast better than anywhere! Blessings... Polly (p.s. except maybe my grandma's kitchen)

Justabeachkat said...

Julie

You're so right. People are too quick to judge others by their appearance or because they ride a bike. I have friends who ride and I can tell you they are some of the most giving caring people I know. Thanks for your gentle reminder.

Hugs!
Kat

Bristol said...

Julie- That is so true. You can never judge a book by it's cover.
Bikers get a bad rap, for sure. While I am not a biker I have met many sweet ones. At my husbands VFW there are so many different people I love it. We never talk about what we do or what we have.
Love the poem, I would hitch a ride from you two anytime!
Bristol

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

amen.
Penny

Belinda said...

Being quick to judge is a terrible thing, something that many of us are guilty of at some time or another, and somehow, passing judgement can become almost second nature, which is just awful. Its good to stop and think about and become more aware of our reflexive thoughts/behaviors once in a while. Thanks, Julie. :-)

kari and kijsa said...

Thanks for the great post! We agree....and the old adage still holds true!

blessings, kari and kijsa

BellaColle said...

Hugs...
I will definatly share your poem... if we could afford it... my fab hubby and I would be riding...

Supermom said...

Those are words of wisdom!

Sling said...

I've ridden a motorcycle,and now I ride a bicycle everywhere.Those sentiments still apply.I've nearly been run down more times than I can count by oblivious,self absorbed morons that are paying more attention to their cell phones,than to the road.
I loved this post!

Cris said...

What a beautiful poem Julie! My husband is a dirt biker, but we have friends who are bikers and have had accidents caused by drivers... Anyways, I hope you are always safe, blessings!

Chris Beason said...

I never understood it until I became a "biker babe." It is amazing how people perceive you depending on what you're riding in or on. It's almost the same as how the identify who you are by what kind of job you have.

BumbleVee said...

Personally, I don't care what they think of me or my friends that ride.... they can judge away. BUT.... if they would just learn how to drive, how to look in mirrors and also over shoulders... how to pay attention to what they are doing behind the wheel of a car, truck or SUV .... instead of eating, phoning, smoking, putting on make up, reprimanding kids, ... etc... man... would that be a rare treat to a biker.

I have been forced off the road and squeezed in between vehicles several times ... and some even have the nerve to laugh. Yes, I know it could be fear or just embarrassment...but, usually, at that moment, I wish I could trade seats with them just to let them know what it feels like to be scared out of my leathers.

My solution to poor drivers?? Force everybody who wants to drive a car to get their motorcycle license first. They would be sooooo much more careful of others sharing the roads..... . especially those on bikes.

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