KARMA? 6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION? OR ARE THE ANGELS IN CHARGE!

They say that there are “six degrees” of separation in the world, meaning that a chain of “a friend of a friend” should connect any two people in s maximum of six steps. Read on my dear friends. Your Intrepid Cancer Cure Rider believes that only The Angels could have orchestrated the following series of “coincidences”.

August, 2009. Yours Truly and my lovely wife have saved for a decade and are finally on our trip to Europe. We’re on a cruise on the Rhine River. We meet Bill and Sheila Carpenter from Ohio on board and we hit it off, enjoying each other’s company immensely.

A couple of days into the cruise we’re notified that we’re going to be passing through the Bridge At Remagen very early the next morning. Bill is United States Air Force, retired, and served in Vietnam. His father was a WW II veteran and Yours Truly is a history buff so we decide to get a wake-up call. The girls pass.

The next morning, as we’re enjoying coffee in the wee hours and watching the sun come up, Bill asks about what my various jobs are at the Police Department. Among others, I describe my LIDAR Tech. duties. LIDAR is a laser speed detection instrument that has pretty much replaced radar. He sits back, says “Hmmm”, and then says “I thought I recognized your last name but couldn’t figure out why.” Then he tells me he is an electronics expert, works in a repair shop, and they repair LIDARs for Kustom Signals. He’s seen my name on his work orders! Whoa…talk about weird.

February, 2013. Your Intrepid Cancer Cure Rider and Mission control are working hard to determine what gear Yours Truly might need. We’re very concerned that it will be extremely hot across Southern California, Arizona, Texas, Etc. I recall that one of my good friends Greg Clark (“WingNut”) wears a really nice flow-through jacket on warm days. He says it works well to protect him from the sun. Yours Truly does a ton of research and finds a fantastic Joe Rocket flow through summer jacket at a great price on the Internet….a place called Competition Accessories in Ohio. Over the next couple of weeks I talk to a really nice guy named Shawn on the phone, bugging him probably 8 or 10 times. I can’t decide on size or color. He takes really good care of me, sends me a couple of coats and just says send back the one I don’t want. Did and Done and I love the jacket and have worn it throughout America’s Perimeter Tour.

August 2013. I arrive at Bill’s in Springfield, Ohio for a planned lay – over and visit. I mention that I’m once again due for an oil change. He immediately says “Competition Accessories. I’m good friends with the owner.” That afternoon I follow him up and he introduces me to….wait for it…..Shawn Bowshier, the owner, and the same guy who helped me with the jacket! Whoa again!

Shawn of course doesn’t remember me, but I sure do him. After all, he put up with repeated phone calls for weeks from me due to my indecision. With a big smile he greets me. Bill tells him my story. Shawn says “well, we’ll just take care of that ‘Wing for you”, and thrusts a cash donation out of his own wallet at me! DOUBLE WHOA!! And then Shawn tells his receptionist that he wants her to get my information, take some pictures, and put Cancer Ride America on their company’s FaceBook page. A very personal thank you from Your Intrepid Cancer Cure Rider to Shawn Bowshier. What a wonderful guy, and one I am proud to call newfound friend.

Shawn’s 43 year old sister is in the battle against cancer now. Please pray for Nici Clement. She is a lovely, vivacious, and very young lady. I depart Ohio on Tuesday August 13th. I am dedicating that day to Nici. I have a very special request, one that I have never made before. At 3:00 PM Eastern time on August 13th, I will be stopping roadside, kneeling, and praying for her. Please join me as thousands of Angels pray with me…..please.

It is up to you to decide. Karma? 6 degrees of separation? Or the Angels. You know where I stand.