Defying Death...the Work of my Guardian Angel: The Beginning

This is going to be a series… it was the idea of @healthiswealth after my explanation to him of an ongoing conversation I was having with my good friend and driver Victor about how many “accidents” I have been in.

If things go as planned the series should be a collection of stories of circumstances I found myself in throughout my life where I, whether recklessly or intentionally, put my life on the line to do something I may have thought was more important at the time. For me it’s a writing exercise to get me more attuned with writing my thoughts down regularly. For you, the reader, it may be an opportunity to connect or understand or maybe even a learning experience that helps you out. It may also be an opportunity to comment and/or revisit your own experiences and feelings. For those involved in the stories, it may be a chance to relate your point of view, correct my memory, or call me out on bullshit. Have you ever seen the movie “Big Fish”?

At just over a year old, my brother Matthew was born. September 10th 1969… it was also significant as it was my Uncle Dale’s birthday. Unfortunately, Matthew passed away a few months later from something referred to as SIDs. It was a sad time in the household and I sometimes wonder what effect that sad reflective time had on the person I’ve become. The idea of Matthew as my guardian angel didn’t materialize until a few years later. If that thought is believed, those few months I had with him as a one year old must have made an impression on him… because he’s put in allot of work saving me since.

One thing did become clear to me early… I enjoyed living life to the fullest. My father took up motocross as a hobby and as a 4 year old… I saw how much he enjoyed it and wanted to be a part of it. I had a desire to do the same. I wanted my own motorcycle badly. I relentlessly asked for one until my parents relented… and I’m sure it wasn’t easy for my mother… but at 4, even before I knew how to ride a bicycle, I had one. At first my father had to ride with me… I couldn’t balance… but I was continually trying. My father eventually simply stepped off the back one day and it wasn’t until I turned around and noticed him standing that I realized I was doing it on my own… I immediately crashed… but I now had it in my head… it was a mental problem… I just had to believe I could… and I would. This idea… that if I believed I could… I would and probably the introduction to Evel Knievel at an early age is probably the reason I’ve been involved in so many death defying experiences.

There’s always a decision point when it comes to dangerous activities. When it involves a motorcycle. It’s usually the moment you get on it. I learned that in the single digits.

Me(on the right) on my MR50

One Sunday at the races, I was off on my own on a unattended practice track on my motorcycle, essentially just tooling around. I was approaching a jump when from the opposite direction, a kid on a larger bike hit the jump. He landed directly on my head. I distinctly remember seeing the very bottom of his motorcycle a few feet from me and the instinct to curl myself up in anticipation of the collision. The thought: This is probably going to really hurt! Also crossed my mind. The next thing I remember was being in the arms of my cousin Kurt and him running with me to my mother. Her horrified look on her face and then them placing me in an early 70’s style station wagon ambulance. Then someone reminding me to not close my eyes.

I sustained a cut just above my eye that required stitches and a dislocated jaw. Pretty minor in consideration that the combined speed of the motorcycles was probably more than 40 mph and the collision was my helmeted head and the frame and motor of a motorcycle. It was at this point someone suggested I had a guardian angel… and when I heard it… an image of Matthew came to me. Now, whether it’s just an idea, a rationalization, I’m just lucky, or it’s the truth… I’m still unclear on. To me it’s a pleasant idea I’m charmed with. However, the amount of near misses I’ve experienced and hope to outline may give some clues…I’ll leave it to the reader to decide. I honestly don’t know how many times I’ve been an inch or less from death, I have numerous examples I’m willing to explore if the readers remain interested and I have the time and willingness to write them down. I’m sure if I’m encouraged it will go on longer than if not.

I appreciate those that have taken the time. Feel free to comment or even give me tips on what I might do to do this better. This is yet one more example of a learning experience for me and I appreciate any help I can get.