John McLane & Jake

God rides a Harley!

There are times in everyone's life that things happen that just can't be explained in any way other than that there is a divine power. It isn't something that one can conjure up, it just happens.

Jake and his younger brother lost their father about 5 years ago. Jake still remembers his dad although his brother doesn't. His dad loved motorcycles and had a Harley. In many ways, Jake misses his father so for Father's Day, 2004, we completed a project that would preserve his best memories of his father. I typed up and framed Jake's recollections on a piece of paper and printed a Harley Motorcycle in the background to add some meaning. It was touching for both Jake and his mother when it was presented to them on Father's Day. It still hangs in his bedroom.

Even though I am the guy in his life right now, I strongly feel that Jake should never forget his father. He and I agree that his father lives. He lives not only in Jake's memories of him, but also in his heart. His father is always there and always will be.

So we went out on a Saturday in September 2005 and we decided to attend a kite festival at Fort Casey State Park on Whidbey Island, Washington. It was a nice day; sunny and pleasant although it was not really summer anymore. There was a booth where kids got to make their own kites so Jake and I put together a nice, simple kite and decorated it with coloring pens. We launched it into the wind and Jake flew the thing as if he has been doing this for some time. It was nice to see him smiling and laughing. His attitude about himself and life in general is so much more positive than when we first met in 2004. He is now doing very well in school, also.

On our way home, we approached the ferry terminal for the trip back to the mainland. In front of us at the toll booth were five motorcyclists. One was driving a Harley and he wore a Harley jacket that had some reference to Jesus on it. I turned to and asked Jake if his father ever wore a Harley jacket and if so, did his mother keep it? He wasn't sure if she had and indicated that, if so, it probably is put away as the memories might be too painful if it were still hanging in the closet.

What happened next was simply amazing. The Harley guy in front of us pulled into line on the waiting dock and it was now our turn to pay for the ferry trip to Mukilteo. I pulled the car forward and prepared to pay the toll taker for our crossing.

The toll taker indicated to me that the gentleman in the Harley had paid our fare! How could this be? Jake and I were talking to each other, but it is doubtful that he overheard our conversation. It doesn't matter.

It occurred to us: THERE IS A GOD THAT LOVES US AND HE RIDES A HARLEY! Jake's dad was most certainly there, too, smiling and laughing, just as Jake was doing.

Jake, who is part Cherokee Indian, has a poster of a speech by Chief Seattle on the wall in his room that I had bought for him. The Chief says at the end of his famous speech:

"Did I say the dead? There is no death, only a changing of worlds."

John McLane is a Maintenance Supervisor with

John McLane & Jake

Little Moments. Big Magic!