Thunder Roads Magazine of Oklahoma/Arkansas June 2017 TRMOK | Page 17

FEATURES
for pictures with new friends
without me, climbed on signs,
rocks, took selfies, sat on bikes,
and pretty much joined in every
group activity that occurred.
People I had known for years
and people I had just met that
very day had decided that Katie
was more fun than I, and acted
upon it. We repeated that trip
in 2016 with the desire to make
it an annual thing for the two of
us. The experience was much
the same. Katie was the popular
kid and I was the guy that drove
the motorcycle. I am, of course,
completely ok with that.
I think the reason I am sharing
this with you during this month
in which we celebrate Father’s
everywhere, is that as a Father,
I am thankful for the friends that
I have made in the motorcycling
community. Not only have they
embraced me with warmth and
kindness, but everyone I have
met has embraced my family as
well. There have been lifetime
memories made for my daughter
that have nothing to do with me.
The rider who gave Katie a fluffy
decorative animal tail to attach to
her bandana, the friend that Katie
calls her “Dr. Pepper Buddy “,
because he made sure she had
a bottle or two of Dr. Pepper
for her trip home, the many
female rider friends who give her
bandanas, motorcycle t-shirts,
riding boots and even
a pair of chaps that
had been gently used
by someone else. All
because they want to
share the experience of
riding with her. I know
that my experience
isn’t unique. There are
plenty of kids who ride
with adults and are
treated with the same
welcoming spirit all
across the world. But,
it warms my heart to
know that there are many people
in the Oklahoma motorcycle
community that are caring,
friendly and dare I say, positive
role models for my daughter
to look up to. So, from a Dad,
on this Father’s Day, thank you
for helping me make wonderful
memories for my daughter that
will last long after I am gone.
Thunder Roads Magazine of OK/AR
17