Giving Pain a Voice ~ Kids Matter
Lately, my rides have been in the rain. Today is no different and I have all of my
rain gear on even before I leave the house.
Most, I guess, would simply say "it's raining and I'll ride another
day." But once I commit to a good
cause, I try hard to come though.
My good friend Dennis Reneau invited me on this fund raiser
bike ride. It starts at the American
Legion on Olive Street in Porterville.
At the time I said I would ride with him, I knew little about the cause but
that would change.
It is wet and a bit on the cold side as I leave Three
Rivers. Mentally, I am going through my
safety check list. Go slow, watch the
curves, look for rocks that might have come down with the rain, and keep a
longer space between vehicles than normal.
Also watch for deer, I finally tell myself.
Our lake is finally filling up and after four years of drought in
California, it is a welcomed site.
Without exaggeration, it was pouring when I left Three Rivers and ten
miles down the road, past Lake Kaweah, the rain stops, just like that. Porterville is about an hours ride and I
pull into the Shell gas station to top off my tank and it remove all of my rain
gear. In five minutes, I'll join the
American Legion Riders, Chapter 20 on Olive Street. Dennis had said, "you can't miss it, there will be hundreds
of bikes."
I'm not your usual group rider but when there is a cause, I
make exceptions. Immediately I see
Dennis and we exchange a big bear hug.
He almost lifts me off the ground.
Those marines are tough. The
American Legion Chapter 20 is sponsoring this event. Dennis introduces me to some of his friends, and although I am
not a veteran, I feel at easy with the group.
These events are well organized, punctual, and full of safety messages. Today is no different. There is a final prayer for our safety and
kick stands go up. The roar makes the
hair on the back of your head stand up.
"Dennis, I'll follow you" and with those few words
the group rides on towards Woodlake.
Although I know where Woodlake is, the route is new to me. Riding along new roads has always agreed
with me. Most of the time, when I found
myself lost, those were some of my best rides. "Let the wind blow you in the right direction" I tell
myself in those lost moments. I once
missed an important fork in the road, and missed Canyon De Chelly by 200
miles. Loved it.
Over one hundred bikers ride in a safe, staggered formation. We are almost at the very end of the group, and for me, a
good safe spot. The bikers ahead take a
sweeping curve and the sight is awesome.
Sometimes, the best view from the back of the pack is seeing nearly a hundred bikers in front of you. Today is no exception. 
The purpose of this ride is the real story. I think about why the American Legion,
Chapter 20 is raising money for this event.
Dennis tells me that all of funds raised go to them.
I get a cool t-shirt and their mantra stands
tall ~ Ride for Awareness.
The
organization is called Optimal
Hospice Foundation, Kids Camp. The
brochure tells me that "The loss of a loved one touches each member of the family,
including children. To help young people through their bereavement,
Optimal Hospice Foundation created Kids Camp. This over-night summer
camp program is specially designed for young people ages 8 - 16 that have
experienced the loss of an loved one in the recent past... This innovative
experience is available at no
cost to families, thanks
to generous support from the community. Camp participants may be referred by
school counselors, healthcare providers, family members and other
individuals.."
The ride is dry and a little over one hundred miles and about
that many bikers. After riding though
the countryside, we end up back at the American Legion on Olive Street. Our donation for this ride includes a hardy
lunch. There is also big raffle of
prizes, including a monster TV, donated by Walmart, however that I did not win.
I do walk away with a wine basket, chocolates, and scented
candles. Denise loves them.
Another good ride, another good cause. Kids do matter.
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| Dennis Reneau and Bob Griego |
