Author Topic: Lost my first riding partner (Read 14003 times)

idahorider · « **on:** October 29, 2015, 11:56:44 PM »

I thought some in the Guzzi community would like to know I lost my wife of 46 years last week.
I wish I could say it was quick and painless. It wasn't. She battled systemic vasculitis for 35 years. The disease was terrible and the treatment almost as bad as the steroids she needed to stay alive destroyed her bones.
We married young and soon after spent money we didn't have on a Suzuki X6 Hustler. When we moved up to a Suzuki 500 Titan, she'd ride behind me on the way to the next town and I'd ride pillon on the way home.
She owned the family's first Guzzi, a brand new 1980 V50 II, and kept that when she bought an R80. We toured throughout the Northwest and she rode until too ill to continue. Even then she pored over motorcycle magazines and insisted I buy a California Special and then my B1100.
I know every time I ride in the future, I will think of her.
Sorry for the melodramatic tone, but I wanted to share this with the good folks on this board.
Paul Emerson

LowRyter · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:01:32 AM »

Paul, so sorry for your loss.

davedel44 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:03:08 AM »

I'm so sorry Paul.
God bless you. You both will be in my prayers tonight.
Dave
Galveston

oldbike54 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:04:15 AM »

Paul , I am so sorry , damn , this is tough . Thanks for allowing us to share , please know you can lean on the good folks here .

Condolences from Oklahoma

Dusty

Shorty · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:12:18 AM »

You picked a keeper. Sorry that she left before you. It ain't supposed to happen that way. Thank you for sharing this. I don't know where some folks get their strength, but it is inspiring. May God comfort you and yours.

krglorioso · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:17:43 AM »

Paul: Karen and I have been together for over 43 years; inseparable, really. On our first date, to SoCal's Laguna Beach, I saw a Bell "Shorty" helmet in her car. "What's that for?", I asked. "Oh, if I meet a guy with a motorcycle I like to go riding with him". That may not have been the sum and substance of our total attraction to one another, but it was a large part of it. Now 73, Karen still climbs on the pillion of the Cali Stone and we motor off together.

I cannot imagine life without Karen, so I have a good sense of what desolation you are feeling and will feel for a very long time. Please lean on your friends, both local and on this forum, and we will hope to give you all the support we can.

God bless you.

Ralph

johnr · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:25:41 AM »

Sad news Paul. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Demar · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:33:27 AM »

Sorry to hear about your loss Paul. From the way you describe it, your first riding partner will always be riding with you.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2015, 12:49:03 AM »

So sorry for your loss, I hope posting here eases your pain in some way. Sounds like you two had some wonderful experiences together. May she rest in peace. God bless.

John Schurke
Springfield, mo.

SteveAZ · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2015, 01:30:33 AM »

Never had the pleasure of meeting you or your wife but your story is very moving and a reminder to cherish our days.

Godspeed to your riding and life partner.

ITSec · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2015, 01:39:13 AM »

Very sorry for your loss, Paul - and unfortunately, I know very much what you are going through.

My wife Yvonne died on the 20th; we had been together nearly 40 years. While her health challenges were more brief, they were equally difficult (stage 3b melanoma 8 years ago, followed by a recent series of strokes). Helping her through that was hard - and not being able to help was worse.

My thoughts are with you - know that you are not alone.

Carlo DeSantis · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2015, 03:07:50 AM »

So sorry to hear the news, Paul.

She will obviously live on in you.

God's peace to you.

Best,

Carlo

Nic in Western NYS · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2015, 03:52:41 AM »

Oh my goodness. I don't have any words to comfort but I hope you can fill your mind with all the most wonderful memories.

Vince in Milwaukee · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2015, 04:07:33 AM »

I'm very sorry to hear this. We will be thinking of you here in Wisconsin. God Bless.

Kiwi_Roy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2015, 04:08:20 AM »

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss Paul
Don't forget to leave the pegs down for her next time you ride

She will live on in your heart.

Muzz · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2015, 05:03:42 AM »

Paul, my sincere condolences on your loss. May the good times you have shared together stay with you and ultimately help to ease your grief. My heart goes out to you on the loss of your soul mate.

elvisboy77 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 30, 2015, 05:25:30 AM »

Thank you for sharing those memories. Sorry for your loss.

Rough Edge racing · « **Reply #17 on:** October 30, 2015, 05:27:22 AM »

Paul, Hope you find peace....

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #18 on:** October 30, 2015, 05:56:14 AM »

Paul, there's nothing I can say that hasn't been said before on this thread. Just know that we care, and are thinking of you. She'll live on in your memory..and all her trials are now over. Sorry.
C&D

Aaron D. · « **Reply #19 on:** October 30, 2015, 05:58:27 AM »

Paul I am so sorry for your loss.

Mu wife and I have been riding together in a similar story and my heart aches for you.

Thank you for sharing.

Aaron

Texas Turnip · « **Reply #20 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:05:39 AM »

Paul,
Hope all the notes from Guzzi riders worldwide help you through this rough time.
Yes, you had a keeper if the two of you could ride a Suzki 500 Titan. I had one and can still remember the terrible seat.

Tex

nunzio · « **Reply #21 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:13:08 AM »

Prayers sent....Alan

Bonafide Bob · « **Reply #22 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:33:21 AM »

Sorry for your loss.

Testarossa · « **Reply #23 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:36:34 AM »

Take good care of yourself now. Our thoughts are with you.

menzies · « **Reply #24 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:38:01 AM »

So sorry for your loss.

mjptexas · « **Reply #25 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:43:46 AM »

Paul,

I'll keep you in my prayers, and my partner (37 yrs.) gets an extra hug tonight.

Markcarovilli · « **Reply #26 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:48:17 AM »

Paul

My condolences and do take comfort that she is enjoying the time you spent together.

Mark

radguzzi · « **Reply #27 on:** October 30, 2015, 06:51:28 AM »

Quote from: idahorider on October 29, 2015, 11:56:44 PM

I know every time I ride in the future, I will think of her.

Paul,
Our most sincere condolences for your loss. She sounded to be a wonderful woman. You will indeed think of her often and the good times you both shared.

Peace,
Rob & Sue

Lannis · « **Reply #28 on:** October 30, 2015, 07:03:53 AM »

Thanks for sharing. The part about sharing pillion/pilot duties is rare - I know your memories are special ones.

Lannis

HDGoose · « **Reply #29 on:** October 30, 2015, 08:05:38 AM »

Remember her life. Celebrate her life.

Best wishes to you.

News:

Author Topic: Lost my first riding partner (Read 14003 times)

oldbike54

SteveAZ

elvisboy77

Rough Edge racing

nunzio