|
FOR JIMMY |
| I met him four years ago when we held the first Wolf's
Head Rally. That first day, my partner and friend, Jack Eudy, introduced
me to his mother- and father-in-law. Jim Matten was a boisterous and
fun-loving man who wanted to help us any way he could to make the rally
a success. He was our custodian and groundskeeper, somebody to pick up
after us.
By the end of that rally, Jim and his wife Pat had taken me in and
made me a part of their family. At last year's rally, Jack told me about a favorite story Jimmy liked to tell people who came on the Jim Hogan Fun Run, a charity ride we do every June to Ely, Minnesota. We tried to get Jimmy to tell us the story at the rally, but he said, "If you want to hear it, you'll have to go on the Hogan Run next year." Well, the next year came and, as had been my luck in previous years, I had to work that weekend. I got up early anyway and went down to see the group off. Jimmy and I talked a few minutes before they rode out. That was the last time I saw Jimmy. He died on that ride, June 30, 2001. A deer jumped from the ditch in front of his trike, ending his life and forever changing the lives of those who knew and loved him. Talking with Jack after the accident, he told me that the night before Jimmy had been talking with his son's girlfriend, Terri, who had just gotten a new bike and was a little apprehensive. He said to her, "You have to be careful when you're riding, but if you're doing something you love, even if the worst happens, what better way to go?" Jim loved his trike and he loved the Hogan Run, and if God said, "Jim, it's time to come home," (in Jim's own words) what better way to go? It was time. |
Over the years to come, they helped me
get over my divorce, welcomed my new wife and daughter, and worked at
every rally.
