An old dear friend of T. J.’s passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident in New Smyrna Beach this month. T. J. has known Pee Wee Graves for about 40 years from back in the Froggy’s days. A quiet guy who often spent his afternoons in The Boat Bar or Bay 3, he spent hours on his bike. We are riding today on the Mystery Ride in his memory. Just friends hitting his spots raising a beer to the heavens. It is hopefully the final sad event of 2021! Dylan, Walter Gross’ son, was also in a terrible accident the same week. Luckily, it appears his life was spared. But between Covid and all the life’s snubbed out in a shocking way this year…sadness abounds. T. J.’s mom Vi, Bobby Rebello, Steve Fritz, Cap Wilson, Pee Wee, Catherine Connearney, Kathy Shaughnessy…friends all lost. I really cannot remember a year with so many unexpected deaths. Add to that Willie’s near-death experience from his hit & run on Main St., Waylon’s near death Covid illness, this has been a year we should have all just stayed at home in bed, but life is for living I suppose.

I miss Cap every time I get on a bike, Big Steve when I drop off magazines at Iron Horse…I think of Cat and Kathy when I hear of Covid on the news. Everyone reading this has some loss that hit home this year. Some from suicide, drug overdoses, wrecks, covid, disease. But at 67 I was told you will be going to a lot of funerals now because your friends are getting old. Only T. J.’s mother was age related. The rest were unexpected. Just shocking.

So, on my knees I prayed for them to be riding high with angels after lighting a candle in the cathedral in St. Augustine last night. But my prayers for all of us still on this side of living is that 2022 can be kinder and gentler for us all. That Suzie, Brendan, Tommy, Debbie and all of us missing loved ones will see their way through the process of grieving and that brighter days are ahead.

A safe and healthy 2022 to us all, kiss your momma if she is still with you and if not take a moment to thank her for the life you are living and don’t forget your sunscreen!