A Glimpse of "Hope"

Have you ever felt as if you were a part of something much bigger than yourself?
That some events in your life were being orchestrated by more than chance or even cause and effect? This story is a perfect example of that and I feel fortunate to have played a small part in something beautiful but rarely seen.....

This Saturday was a gorgeous day and the parking lot at our dealership was full like many Spring Saturdays.  
All types of people on their 2 wheeled and 3 wheeled machines decorated our lot in a show of diversity, enjoying the day and exercising the right to ride.
A lady pulled into the parking lot on an old Honda, from the mid 80's, that had seen many miles of adventure, festooned with an assortment of gear.
It brought to mind images of nomadic tribes long ago.

Riding in a pouch she had strapped to her, and resting on the bike's tank, was a tiny wired haired dog.  It was clear he had been loving every mile!

She began to socialize and stretch her legs as folks passing looked at her rig.  It was something you don't see everyday!
This gal was a biker, a REAL biker, that lives on the road.

We saw her Kansas license plate.
One of our salesmen, "Brumy", said her name was Michelle.
I walked up to her, introduced myself, and she introduced me to her dog, appropriately named "2 Lane Blacktop"!

As we talked, she said she had come from California and was out on the road.  I learned she had no permanent address and camped nightly.  She said she and 2 Lane just pull off on a dirt road and look for a spot for the evening, rarely using a campground.
She was independent and a gypsy.  She kept everything she owned in this world on her bike, including her little dog.

The bike was tired, leaked oil and the road had not been kind to it.  But, she was proud and thankful to "own it outright."

I introduced her to John, one of our regular HDC customers and they hit it off!
You see, Michelle represents freedom and courage as well as independence, the core values that formed our country years ago.
She does what many of us would do, if we could.  She is happy and asks nothing from anyone along the way.
We've all thought about it at one time or another but don't take the plunge.  Responsibilities, finances, loved ones and other ties may bind us.
Maybe we don't hit the road because we like the comfort of our own bed at night, a home cooked meal, or a hot shower.
It's not until you venture out of you comfort zone that you are truly free!

Her oil leaking mount could give up the ghost and break down on her any day.  The quart of oil strapped to the crash bars was a grim reminder.  Her love of this lifestyle may soon be cut short by mechanical imperfection and the effects of many miles on the road.

John was so moved by her life story that he bought her an 800CC Suzuki trade in we had here at HDC.  He forever changed the life of this weary traveler!  John wanted nothing in return except to know that a part of him would be out on the road with Michelle, riding every mile!

She got emotional and felt blessed as her new friend helped her move all of her worldly possessions onto her new bike.  John even offered to store her old Honda in his garage until she wants it and he'll ship it to her....anywhere!

John's generosity is a reminder that there are still good people in this world, doing good things.  I was glad I had introduced them to each other.

In the whole scheme of life, I know, in my heart, this was not a chance meeting.
When Michelle signed her paperwork, we learned her last name was Hope...unbelievable, but true!

A prayer circle formed around her new bike.  A prayer of thanks and blessings of safety prepared her for her ride.
I heard another lady tell John that he would be blessed.
"No ma'am", John said.  "I already have been."

Sonny Farmer