It was mid-afternoon and I was really looking forward to a motorcycle ride. But, it took me forever to make three copies of my nine-page medical “advance directive” forms - different pages going to each of three people.
Finally, the job was done and as it was pushing 5 o’clock, I raced off on my bike to drop off the paperwork at my doctor’s office - ten miles away. About two miles shy of my destination, I found myself stopped in traffic at a light on a divided highway. Perpendicular to my road on the left*, was an exit ramp coming off of the interstate. It was there that I noticed a young woman, maybe thirty, running along the road and then I realized she was running toward me. Thin, sleeveless, and tastefully tattooed, the brunette got out the words “Lake Geneva” as the light turned and cars started zooming around us.
*For you locals, right across the street from “Kunes RV”
I had no time to think, but my gut shouted, and my mouth repeated - hop on and hold tight! And that’s what she did. Surprisingly, there was a fair bit of flailing around behind me as I accelerated. She then started yelling - “I’ve never ridden a motorcycle without a place to put your feet.” And then I realized that my unused passenger pegs were folded up and beneath the saddle bags which she was straddling! We were probably doing fifty at the time but as I slowed to forty, she settled in.
We shortly thereafter turned into the doctor’s office parking lot, and I finally had a chance to reflect, ask questions, and hear answers. She confirmed that she was originally headed toward Lake Geneva where she used to live but changed her mind. She now wanted to go back to her motel in Delavan instead - the town from which I departed. Maybe she wanted to change her britches for all I knew. But things got serious.
I explained that I was dropping off the “Advance Directive” paperwork because my wife died a few months ago and I knew very well what she wanted as she got toward the end stages. I just wanted to make sure that no one was left guessing as to what I wanted, if I ended up in a similar situation or worse.
She hesitated with her mouth open and then responded - “I don’t know what to say, it’s so sad.” As I pulled my paperwork out of the saddlebags I said - if you’re willing to wait about five minutes, I’d be happy to drive you to Delavan if you wear my helmet, and we pull out the foot pegs.
She argued, “I can’t let you drive without your helmet - I’ll walk or get there somehow.” As she started to walk toward the highway, I asked her where she was headed overall to which she just mumbled - “I’m homeless.” I asked her to come back for a minute and when she did, I stuffed some paper into her hand. She was very grateful, but as she turned to leave, she spun around again approaching me with a bright smile - “I have to introduce myself" - my name’s Mansa.” I extended my hand but as her grin softened, I realized that this hurting young woman would have probably appreciated just one hug with no strings attached.
As I wrote in my most recent “newsletter,” life is full of regrets, some just much larger than others. I really wish that I had recognized how non-urgent my paperwork was and prioritized just sitting down with her on a nearby curb - letting her tell her story.
You did the right thing. You listened and anticipated her need.
Just noticing her and picking her up, no questions asked, makes you a hero in my book. Thank you for always building my faith in humanity and for sharing stories like these.