It’s been almost a year since a series of challenges led me to sell the Wing and then, ultimately, the viXen. Frankly, I thought that I might not straddle two wheels for some time (to be honest, if ever).
· It began with my wife’s diagnosis in 2008 with lymphoma and the surgery that led to her leaving her profession (she is a licensed state diagnostician and a TX teacher with 2 masters degrees and nearly 30 years of experience in the classroom).
· Right after her surgery (from which she finally fully recovered), the financial crash occurred and TX school funding tanked. She joined the every-growing ranks of "formerly employed" teachers. Things got tough. I sold the Wing.
· After two years without her income we faced the decision (2010) of whether to bring our soldier-son home for his recovery and physical therapy after a parachute accident or leave him in the hands of the VA (like that was a choice). He came home in February of this year, and I built a gym in the living room to facilitate his recovery – (
http://www.vtxoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295029). I sold the viXen and gear.
· Our son got back on his feet in late April. Since then he has completed three half-marathons and shipped out (back to Ft. Benning in August) with full medical clearance. His first PT score at Benning after his recovery was 263/300 – even with nine screws and a titanium rod in his leg.
· In May (ironically enough, two weeks before her first job offer in almost three years – a local teaching position was to begin in August) my wife was diagnosed with stage 4 bilateral ductal, lobular, invasive, inflammatory breast cancer – and our battle there is ongoing (
www.CaringBridge.com/visit/elaineray/). Life got tougher.
· In the interim (between 2008 and the present) we have dealt with three “no fault” auto accidents, two surgeries (both my wife and our daughter), some major uninsured home repairs and a 2008 salary freeze that is still in effect.
Thanks to this forum I sold the viXen, a huge load of cycle accessories and all of my gear. I liquidated “the toy closet” of just about everything except my golf clubs (couldn’t get what they were worth so I kept them). And I figured that was the end of that – until…
Two weeks ago my b’loved asked me if I missed riding. I laughed and told her that I was content with my hobbies (which are [1] working from home and [2] taking care of her). We talked at some length and then she made a request that floored me. Given that she will be home-bound for the better part of the next year, she suggested that I consider selling or trading my 15-year-old (great shape) sedan for a new-2-me VTX and use her car for a while (she’s just begun a second 3-month chemo regimen, will have additional radiation for 7 weeks after that and will have a debilitating reconstructive surgery in March of 2012).
Well, Craigslist here I come…and whadda ya know… The Pug is baaaaacccck!
Today, I took delivery of a 2008 (purchased new in June of last year) VTX1800T. Dubbed the MistreX she has 7K miles, and is fairly well equipped (tastefully farkled with crash bars, V&H pipes, pegs, grips, cruise, hard bags, and a sprinkling of chrome—though there is always room for more). She has almost 4 more years of extended factory warranty and is sitting in my garage with a clear title in the name of one PUGnacious new owner!
Moral of the story? Life is tough (sometimes mercilessly), but God is good. And I’m back in the saddle (a matched Mustang saddle set no less) again. Happy day.
Time for pie…
