The End Is Not In Sight – Craven Moorehead
By the time you pick up this magazine and read my article, the country that we live in and love will absolutely be under some sort of new leadership. This statement being based upon the fact that, even though we deliver the magazine on the first of the month, it takes time for people to go to the many thousands of locations that distribute our product. I thank God that you people have lives, money, jobs and family to go to and have the ability to live a normal life! Mine’s hectic all day and all night. At least my dedicated readers allow me the glorious moment to enjoy their comments regarding my article – whether positive or negative. Thanks for the input.
As bikers, we understand the freedom that comes with living in this great nation. We have many inalienable rights that persons in other regions and countries cannot enjoy. Oppression and governmental control seems to seep into our lives here in the US but it’s nowhere near as bad as it is elsewhere. Here’s my concern. Depending upon which presidential candidate wins this very heated election, our very freedoms and rights could be possibly compromised. Or perhaps not but I am not convinced that either one is the lesser of two evils. I hate to say this, but politicians are corrupt. Think about this statement for a moment. I’m very concerned about our future and the next four years. We certainly need a change and we were promised one eight years ago. For some reason and in my own life, the change wasn’t so pleasant. I have lost so many things you wouldn’t believe. It is what it is and I have kept the faith and continued forward with a positive attitude. Every time the situation knocks me down I get back up again. This after all is our way of life. There is always a bump in the road, a pothole or an unexpected driver who has no respect for a person on a motorcycle. It is unfortunately a part of our daily lives. I’m simply happy to be alive and to have the ability to keep working towards a better future.
I know you folks are getting tired of listening to my political rants and I do comprehend that fully but however, once again I am seriously concerned. It carries on into every corner of my life. It’s a struggle living the middle to lower class lifestyle. This is why I say that it’s a blessing for all of you to have a job, life and a family. It’s not that I don’t work hard, it’s just that I can’t seem to make enough money to make ends meet. I am absolutely sure that I’m not alone. Enough about me, let’s talk about everyone else. As bikers, we do a lot of charitable functions and events to help those who have had hardships and been dealt a bad hand in life. This is our heart and soul. Nothing is worse than being told you have cancer, being involved in a devastating accident with serious permanent injuries or being homeless. All of these things are life changing events that we all reflect on and see everyday. We do what we can to help, and the positive efforts that the brothers and sisters of this community DO change lives. I guess what I am trying to say – put into simple words – is that every time I see a homeless person on the street begging for change I consider my own blessings regarding having a roof over my head and the sanctity of the opportunity to create a better life for myself and those around me. Yeah, it’s a tough life but there are none tougher than our community of two-wheeled warriors. We have the heart and soul to carry on and make a serious change in this convoluted world.
The other day on the way home from work, I stopped by a local convenience store to get a pack of smokes and while I was there, I picked up a 12-pack of beer. There was a guy there panhandling who asked me for fifty cents. I wondered for a moment why a guy half my age, apparently in good health and fairly well dressed was begging at a convenience store. Then I once again realized the condition our country is in. Being the (sometimes) nice guy that I am, I dug around in my pocket and came up with two quarters. I handed it to him and he said “Hey man, would you gimme one of them Budweisers?” to which I immediately replied “(expletive deleted) NO dude!” and then, after a few more unsavory comments, I got back into my old hillbilly truck and drove away.
Russell Smith of the Amazing Rhythm Aces wrote, recorded and performed a great song, commonly referred to as the “Cowboy Song” or “The end is not in sight.” It is fairly important to some of us even though it was written back in the 70s. I particularly relate to the end of the chorus or hook line “and my soul cries out for rest, and the end is not in sight.” Listen to the whole song. This, my friends,is the life that I live. Until next month, speed safely!]
Originally published in the #150 issue of the Born To Ride Florida Motorcycle Magazine