Harley Heaven

Harley Heaven is exactly where Ms. Trudy was on the day of her ride with Sgt. Major Gunny Eisman.

Trudy's eyes sparkled like the dew on a wildflower basking in the Rocky Mountain morning sun when Sgt. Major Gunny Eisman rode up to the door of The Bridge Assisted Living on his 1967 Harley Davidson Panhead. A few of us ladies weren't sure if it was the sight of this sleek and elegant bike, or the Sgt. Major riding it that made Ms. Trudy's eyes glisten.

Ms. Trudy was so excited to go for her ride, and we were all so happy to see her wish come true. Sgt. Major Gunny Eisman assisted Ms. Trudy by lifting her and putting her on the bike. With her arms wrapped tight around Sgt. Major Gunny Eisman and the purr of the 1967 Harley Davidson Panhead, away they went.

Ms. Trudy told me after her ride that she had a new found respect for the Harley Davidson, and that she truly had the time of her life on that bike. Several days later I met up with Trudy at the elevator outside our dining room on the 2nd floor of The Bridge Assisted Living and I noticed she was wearing her Harley Davidson T-Shirt, generously donated by Pikes Peak Motor Sports here in Colorado Springs. I said "Nice shirt, Ms. Trudy." She gave me the biggest smile, and I knew that her day in Harley Heaven was something that she would cherish for the rest of her days.

The Viper

Have you ever had just one wish that you wanted to come true? What would you do if one day that dream suddenly came true?

On Friday, May 30th The Bridge granted a once in a lifetime wish for one of our residents. J.B.'s life-long wish was to own a Dodge Viper. He had a picture of a Viper on his walker, and he called his walker, J.B.'s Viper. Anyway, we could not purchase J.B. that Viper, but we certainly did the best we could with a lot of help from Tom Perkins of Perkins Dodge here in Colorado Springs. Tom Perkins volunteered to bring a Dodge Viper to our Assisted Living Community so that J.B. could take a ride in it.

J.B. was exstatic all week...he couldn't wait to take his ride. It was all he talked about. By the time Friday came, you wouldnt have been able to tell who was more excited, J.B. to go for the ride, or the staff to watch J.B. go for his joy ride.

The wait was over, it was finally time to ride. The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining in a baby blue sky, and the biggest smile on one of the most handsome faces to ever grace The Bridge Assisted Living...what a perfect day!

J.B. stood outside The Bridge dressed in a fine suit and tie, on top of his head...a signature J.B. cap. His eyes lit up like the night sky on the Fourth of July. Tom parked the car and made his way over to J.B., replacing his cap with a red Dodge cap, and then escorting him to the car. As J.B. made his way into this fine automobile, Tom told John Jr. to take his dad for the ride. What a great surprise! It was so wonderful to see J.B. and John Jr., share this wish together. Tom, the staff, and visitors just stood there and watched the two men drive off into the sunshine.

As the hour came to a close, J.B. and John Jr., pulled into the parking lot where we all greeted them with smiles and hugs. J.B. didn't want to get of that car, but he did. However, as he stood there looking at the car he said "Tom, could you lift the hood on that baby?" You see, J.B. was a car man, and he was very intriqued by the engine under the hood. As Tom and J.B. stood there talking about the origin of the car and the engine, all I thought was, a guy and his Viper, it's a beautiful thing!

As great as this was, all things must come to an end. Unfortuneately, we did not know just thre short days later, God would call J.B. home. J.B., a resident of Colorado Springs since 1917, passed away suddenly on June 2, 2008.

All though we will miss him forever, we know that J.B. drove to heaven in a Cherry Red Dodge Viper.

This blog is dedicated in loving memory of J.B.S. Until we meet again my friend!