Saturday, April 18, 2020
Cousin Mike, I will never forget the day many years ago when I was driving West on the 10, headed to California to visit my dad. Looking in my rear-view mirror I see a motorcycle approach, so I scooted slightly to the right to give him room to pass. The motorcyclist doesn't pass though, he gets really close behind me and then he backs up, and he does this a couple times. I watch him in my rear-view mirror as I move slightly right again so he can pass. He doesn’t pass me though, eventually he pulls up alongside of me and drives right next me for a bit, occasionally looking at me. As I look over at this guy who is wearing a helmet, goggles and face mask, as he looks right at me and waves. I say out loud, who is that? but he continues to look at me as if a challenge. I think about who I know in Arizona and I remember Uncle Bob comes out to Hope often, and I am not too far from that turn off, so I say out loud “is that Uncle Bob?” The driver shakes his head no, as I think to myself how does he knew what I am saying. As we continue driving, neck and neck, I say out loud again “who is that” and the look he gives me intensifies, almost in a challenge. Eventually I say out loud “Is that cousin Mike?” The motorcycle driver shakes his head yes. I am shocked at how you knew it was me. We hadn’t seen each other in years, you had never seen my truck, and last time we saw each other we both lived in California. We continue driving until we find a place to pull off at a rest stop. I asked you how did you know that was me? You said to me that you saw my face in the rear-view mirror and you recognized me. Amazing! It was so good catching up and finding out that you lived not too far from me. I'm still amazed that you could recognize my face through the rear-view mirror while driving down the interstate. I have enjoyed all the fun times we have spent together since that day. I will miss you greatly and all the fun we had camping, four wheeling, out at the lake, and just spending time with you. You are forever loved, and deeply missed, rest easy my friend!
