I'm a Mother Therefore I Worry

 

 

I’m a Mother Therefore I Worry

Do you remember the first time your child wandered away from you in a store, or the library or in a parking lot?  The sudden sickness in your stomach.  The worry dense behind your eyes. 

Do you remember the rising panic when your child didn’t arrive home for hours and hours after a school event, or after they had just received their license, or after a date with someone your gut told you not to trust?  Can you recall the pain in your chest as you answered the phone and heard, “This is the police, we’re calling about…”?  Or the weakness in your legs when you answered, “Hello this is the hospital.  We’re looking for the parents of…”?

No matter how old or how competent my children and step-children are, if they don’t arrive when they are expected, I worry.  I know they will call…if they can.  For the first hour, I do well.  There are many reasons for delays.  After the second hour, I begin pacing a little and worry just a little more.  After three hours, my organized mind begins searching for scenarios and possibilities.  And when they are four or five hours overdue, I have to work hard at staying calm.

On Tuesday evening, I was nauseous, pacing, tight-lipped and teary.   My inner calculations told me they should have arrived at least four hours before they did.  And anything can happen to bikers…other drivers, breakdowns, loose gravel, deer or moose.  Anything can happen, can’t it?

I was so relieved to hear the rumble of their bikes driving up our street and into our driveway, so happy to hug their bug spattered bodies, to see their road-dirt faces.  So relieved and thankful.

My children had been to Bike Week at Laconia, New Hampshire and were due here at suppertime.  On the way back, his motorcycle broke down just outside of Ellsworth, Maine.  Her cell phone had lost its charge.  We had no way to check on them, so were unaware the bike had died at the side of the highway.

It took over four hours to reach a motorcycle repair shop, have the bike checked and to buy a new battery.

Even though they are adults, the thoughts of losing a child still make my throat close and my chest ache.

I worry. 

I’m a mother.

 

Words and photo are copyright ©2011-2013 Carol Steel.

Gary is at Bike Week 2011

Laconia Motorcycle Week is held from June 11 - 19, 2011 in scenic Laconia, New Hampshire.  This year, Gary is there.

The Laconia Motorcycle Week, also known as Laconia Bike Week, has its roots dating back to 1916 when a few hundred bikers met at The Weirs (aka Weirs Beach).

Years later, the “Gypsy Tour” started in Loudon, New Hampshire.  When it passed through Laconia, it kicked off the official Laconia Motorcycle Week.  This makes it one of the oldest Motorcycle Events in the United States and “America’s Original Riding Rally.”

In the last 88 years it has also grown to be one of the largest Motorcycle Events in the United States and is part of the "Big Four".  It averages around 400,000 motorcyclists over the week long biker party and will continue to grow.

Gary wanted to be sure not to miss this world-class event in New England and has been preparing for weeks to attend.  Most of that preparation consisted of polishing the Harley, installing wind deflectors, buying new boots and cleaning his leathers.  I wonder why, because he’ll come home totally bug splattered and wind burnt.  

He will have a splendid party experience and will be able to spend all his time with motorcycles of every description; his idea of heaven.

Gary left early on Wednesday morning to drive down to Laconia with three friends.  They stopped in Bangor overnight, and will again on the way home next week.  They won’t be killing themselves riding hard, as one guy has to stop to eat all the time, one has to stop to smoke and one, to pee.  Lots of stops and resting! 

Gary is happy to be travelling with these three, as they’ll set an easy pace with shared laughter, cold beer and lots of food. 

They managed to book a convenient lodging just 5 minutes walk from downtown; had to book it at New Year’s to attain accommodation that close.  It has all the amenities: BBQ, walking distance to the stores, taverns and all the action, air conditioning, and a hilltop for viewing the bikes passing by, all 400,000 of them!

I haven’t heard much from him since he arrived in Laconia, except one bleary conversation with lots of laughter and music in the background and the slosh and clink of ice in a rum glass.

Have a great time Gary!

Safe journey home!

Both photos are mine.