yesterday was absolutely amazing.

as i sit here and look at my blinking cursor begging me to tell the story – i’m really at a complete loss of words.

when i got to highgate yesterday mom was downstairs in the dining room.  i went in and said, “mama – we gotta go!  come on!”

“uhhhh, no.  i’m waiting for my sugar free ice cream.  i’ll eat it fast.”  she replied.  :banghead:

knowing any second a pack of bikers would be arriving  i said, “mom – i’m serious – we gotta go now.  you’ll have to have ice cream at your next meal.  please.”

“well… can i take it to go?”  she asked.   “NO!  get up!  let’s gooooo!”  i said.  she’s impossible.  LOL.  what can i say – homegirl loves her ice cream.

reluctantly, she came.  and i told her to pop a squat on her walker.

the mailman pulled into highgate and she said, “are we gonna steal a mail truck and go for a joy ride?”   “ummm…. no mom.”

a fire truck passed.  “are we gonna spray somebody with a fire hose?”  she said.  “are you kidding me?!  LOLOLOL.  no mom.  that’s not it.”

then a channel 7 news SUV rolled in, “i ain’t being on no news station.”  she said.  “that’s not for us mom.  i have no idea what they’re doing here.”   hahahaha.

and then – here they came.  12, 13 – maybe even 14 harleys rolled passed highgate and she goes, “oooooo – there’s some nice bikes up in that group!”

then they turned the corner into highgate and she.  about.  died.  hmmm – bad use of words – but you know what i mean.  <3

i said, “wanna go for a ride?”  and her hands came to her head – she was shocked.

it’s partly a blur from there.  lee got off his fatboy and came and shook her hand.  the news camera crews approached for an interview.  i rolled the double bob filled with her leather jacket, boots, headband and glasses.  i helped her get it all on and she gave them an interview.

then – before i knew it – she was on the back of lee’s bike and off they went.  that sparkle in her eyes had returned.  she couldn’t stop smiling.  it was the old sandi – you know – the one we all know and love.  she was so present.  soaking up every rumble of the engines.

it was an amazing day.

last sunday i approached lee, the big bad biker, at our church and told him what was going on with mom.  i told him that we were working on the bucket list and the one last BIG thing i had to check off was a harley ride.  i asked if he wanted to help.  instantly his eyes lit up and this huge smile tore across his face.  he said yes.

ya’ll – he. said. yes.

and he went big.

thursday he called and made sure 1 pm would work for saturday.  i confirmed and he took it from there.

when i woke up saturday morning – it was raining.  i prayed, “please god.  PLEASE.  give me an hour of rain freeness for this ride.  plllllleeeaaassse!”  sure enough.  it was raining and i kid you not – as soon as the pack rumbled in – the rain stopped, the sun broke through the clouds and it all of a sudden was a GORGEOUS fall day.  don’t tell me God doesn’t answer prayers.  BAM!  <3

lee straight up rallied a club for my mamas.  then he called channel 6 and 7 news.  then he rolled up and rumbled the crap outta’ the old folks home.

when they arrived i’m surprised the building didn’t fall down on top of them because in almost every single window three floors high was at least one little old face of a resident from highgate – stealing a looksie at the parade of bikes that had arrived for my mama.

i can’t tell you how grateful i am to be part of such an amazing group of people.  i’ll never EVER be able to repay lee and the rest of the people that showed to do this for her.  this is hands down absolutely NOT something i could have done on my own.

lee – you are amazing.  you have no idea how you blessed both my mom and i.  i will absolutely love you and kelly forever.  <3  thank you.  from the bottom of my heart.  THANK YOU.  i’ll never be able to repay you for that hour of joy that will surely last the rest of her life.  she’s STILL smiling.  God bless you and yours you big bad biker dude.

and now… without further ado:

news coverage:

 

my photos:

 

sandra jo’s bucket list:

1. see the ocean (uhhh, check?  lol)
2. put my feet in the sand
3. go to the movie theatre and watch a scary movie and eat popcorn
4. buy a BUCKET of sacry popcorn at the sacry theater in whitehall.  extra butter and no salt.
5. have a beer + clamato juice
6. go on a harley ride
7. have my hair done at a fancy pants salon
8. have kenzie paint my nails
9. ride in a hot air balloon
10. get “property of big bubba” tattooed on my butt
11. have a GIANT 59th harley themed birthday party
12. stay alive until thanksgiving
13. stay alive until christmas
14. go eat at the chinese buffet
15. make a painting with nora
16. go to the children’s museum with nora and grant
17. eat a piece of plain cheesecake
18. eat spagetti at johnny carinos
19. visit the chocolate moose candy store with nora and grant
20. have kenzie make deviled eggs