I have to repost this here. This is from Rod House, posted on the ST Forum. He was out searching with Noah (Donald's son) when Lynne and I got the news Donald had been found. I got him on the phone after quite a delay from them being out of cell range, and he was there when we gave Noah the news. He was there the next day, at the funeral home. My faith in humanity has been reaffirmed by this entire experience.
As Tim McCart (STimpa) said, "This has been a life changing event for many, and for me."
Donald changed my life; like many here I met him after he had gone off the road and his life had ended. I went to search for him, not certain why, but certain that I needed to. I spent an hour or so at mile marker 322 yesterday morning learning, grieving, and saying my goodbyes. This morning I'm back in La Veta, Colorado, & I've spent the day reading the forum & the memorial thread.
I lost my brother-in-law Jerry, who was born the same year as Donald, who served in Viet Nam, who was a motorcyclist, and who struggled with addictions. Sadly, I was not who I am now, and I didn't talk to him about those important things. I lost the opportunity to help him heal some of his wounds. I've regretted that for 40 years; searching for Donald was building a bridge to Jerry.
Day before yesterday Justin handed me Donald's things from the top case of the Wing; I handed them to Raven, and she placed them in a box. Each of us moved each item slowly, lovingly, and with reverence. One last moment of physical connection to one gone on. I held Donald's fly rod; I'm a fly fisherman. We connected yet again. I held his hatchet; I'm known to be prepared too. He is me and I am him. You, who are reading this, are me and you are Donald. He is us; we are all one.
I've been thanked so many times I couldn't begin to count. I got home and, over and over, you who have posted here thanked all of us who physically searched, and I feel so very appreciated and so much a part of such a greater thing: humankind.
Let me tell you, though, how great a gift this has been to me. In person I met Noah, Justin, Will, Raven (May I adopt you as my sister, Raven?), Tom (who gave me room and board for four days), Tom's son, Sage (who gave me smiles galore), search partner Chance, Al & his wife (whose name I've gotten confused - Beth or Bev or Deb? Sorry!), the caring trooper, the garage guy & the Honda guy who got us into the Wing top case, the 77 year old Sheriff I met at the site, the dozens of sympathetic and helpful riders and folks I gave flyers to, the Beaverhead County deputy who was at the Saturday planning session, and probably someone else I've missed. Then on the phone or on line I met Donald's sister & brother-in-law, the ST folks who welcomed a noob Ninja 500 rider, Mellow, Colorado Friend and crew (who sent goodies for the meeting), dozens more yet to meet, and last: Larry Jensen.
I talked to Larry half a dozen times a day. Larry was simply there. Always. If I get lost, my wife will have a list of folks to call for help; Larry's at the top. I cannot imagine the agony and frustration he has gone through being so far away, yet Google-mapping his way right to the ground we were walking and wading on! Larry, if you ever need help, just call. I'll be there. You are the rock that we all held onto in the rapids that this event took us through. Thank you, my friend.
What an honor it has been to be a part of this. My thanks to all.
Love to you all, and especially to Donald and all the family,
Rod House AKA: Old2wheeler |
