An Open Letter To:
The Dirty Dozen Riders, WMF Staff, Volunteers and Sherpa's
I never knew before the ride how deeply this event would touch my Soul. I told Ken Bingenheimer on that last Sunday evening together, that this Journey of Dirt-Bike Riding Miles had become a Journey of the Soul, at least for me.
We all met up on August 8 and shared a dinner and introductions. Each woman told something special about herself. I spoke of my work with the Deaf. Everybody had something different to share. I felt that my preconceived notions that only strong women would volunteer for this journey are confirmed as each woman speaks of her special talents.
Sue Slate speaks and tells us that we are each about to experience every emotion we've ever had in our lives - all during the upcoming week. Not unlike the other women in this group, I have been through severe trauma in my life, I have experienced extreme joys during my life and I have survived cervical cancer. I do not believe Sue. I think, "yeah, maybe some of those emotions, maybe some joy, some disappointment… but not the strongest emotions that I've ever had - no way." Simply put, I was wrong, Sue was right. Hence, the Journey of the Soul.
While learning to ride the dirt bikes - that slipping and sliding around on the steep trail did not appeal to me much. Andrea and Bonnie would say, "You are such a street rider!" So true, that much slipping on my FXR would surely mean that I was about to be in trouble. It took some days and some adjustment in my thinking before I would become comfortable with this style of riding a motorcycle, but once I got it - I loved it. So it's true, you can teach an ole bitch new tricks!
Of the most touching moments during our ride, the Medallion Pass Ceremony each day certainly brought us all closer to the realities, ugliness and yes, joys of living, that cancer survivors and victims experience and endure everyday. It proved to be a heavy, happy and emotional time out of each and every day for me.
The best part of all was sharing this journey with so many like-minded, wonderful, talented and let's not forget, courageous, women. Maybe there were times when we didn't all share the same mind-set, but we all got along in an extraordinarily awesome way anyway. I had so much fun with all of you and that was just the best too. Thanks for everything, you girls rock!
I've posted some pictures, Alisa's video of the Dirt Biker Song and a small slideshow I made of our 'playtimes' on my website. Please visit it when you can. I will share many more pictures through Shelby's picture site also.
I replay the dirt-biker song about once a day and get a tear in my eye. Miss Ya'll!
s'miles,
Jasmine
