This was posted by Ibsen on the 650 sohc site. No doubt written by a member of our cruiser brethren. Apologies if it has appeared somewhere here before....but interesting reading, none the less.
For all who Know motorcycle riders;
I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. 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. You didn't see me, playing Santa at the local mall.
I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant. 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 rode by. 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. You didn't see me when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.
I saw you roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves. You didn't see me donate my old coats and gloves to those that had none.
I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. You didn't see me going home to be with my family.
I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. 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. 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. 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 seconds of time. 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. You didn't see me leave the road.
I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. You didn't see me. I wasn't there.
I saw you go home to your family. You didn't see me. Because I died that day you cut me off.
I was just a rider. A person with friends and a family. You didn't see me.
