VERY proud - funeral story from today

[kat569]

The funeral for little Addison Lanham was this morning. I woke up to mid 80's temperatures and not a cloud in the sky; I met up with the GOC at IHOP for breakfast, and we left out at 1015 to head over to the church where services were going to be. The temp was over 90 by this time. It was my first time ever riding with anybody else - and had the circumstances been different, I would have enjoyed myself thoroughly. Not a problem the whole way. I was towards the back, only a couple of guys behind me; plus the two that ran roadblocks as we went through intersections, who raced past us to the next intersection. At one point, I realized that I was behind one guy and there was nobody in the line on the right (so between us, staggered); I kept it where I was, thinking (rightly) that moving over would have caused confusion.

We get to church and hold a prayer circle in the field before the service; afterward, Rat addressed the group about the GOC and their mission. I decided to speak up after he was done. I thanked them all for welcoming me into their community and allowing me to apply for membership, and also for letting me ride with them prior to my application going through. I spoke briefly of how their mission is SO important, because the children cannot speak for themselves, we need to be their advocates, their voices. As we broke apart to walk over to the church, a reporter from Fox News cornered me for an interview. Last night, during the wake, Calvin was interviewed (the group VP) and afterward told us he had no idea what he said on camera. Today I'd assured him that he did fine; but after my interview, I walked over to him and said, "Okay, what the HELL did I just say to them?" LOL I can't wait to see the news tonight...

Anyway, we stood honor guard on the church steps as they brought in Addy and her family. We sat in the front of the church, then stood honor guard as they brought everybody out. We rode in formation with the other mourners to the gravesite (for which I borrowed a suicide lid from one of the guys LOL); after that ceremony, we filed past the casket to say our goodbyes and lay a rose on her coffin. The mourners then held a prayer circle, after which we all released pink and purple balloons into the sky. We disbursed at that time; I headed home, though some of the GOC were going over to Hooters, I desperately needed a shower. LOL

I am so proud of how things went today and yesterday. I am so grateful for groups like the GOC. I believe that anybody who cares about children should find a way to join or support groups that advocate for the children. I am so thankful that they welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to participate as one of them, even though I am not officially a member yet. RIP Addy; your mother (oops, excuse me, EGG DONOR - she has not earned the title of mother and never will) failed you miserably, but I hope that today you are up in Heaven with Jesus and that you realize that there are many people who love you and who are sorry we couldn't help you in time...

Thanks for allowing me to share my story.

[4Raven]

Even though it was a sad reason for the ride, glad to hear that Addy was surrounded by those who cared and the family probably really appreciated that as well...

Glad the ride was a great experience for you....tape your 15 seconds of fame and put a youtube link on here!

[marcn]

Really nice write up Kat,you did well. See,there is a reason your bike didn't sell; you have a higher purpose to ride now..

[kat569]

Thanks guys! Raven, already have the DVR set to record and will see if they put the interview online (I'm just hoping, at this point, that they even air it LOL). Marc, I do believe you are right - I realized that earlier, and believe that God, in His own way, led me to the GOC this weekend.

[kat569]

Oh, and I forgot to add in my story:

As I arrived home and pulled into my garage, I looked down at the bike to discover that I had logged my six-hundredth mile. The trip odometer is at EXACTLY 600.0 miles now (bike had seven on it when I bought it). Guess I need to save up my money so I can get her serviced... LOL

[kat569]

Here is one of the photos from the Charlotte Observer's article. Loved being the only sportbike in the sea of cruisers. LOL



And if you look about three rides behind me... that's a scooter that joined up with us at the church...

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Thanks for posting your write up Kat. I'm happy that the ride was a positive experience for you, and a positive demonstration for those that were touched by the life of the child. Sometimes a little show of support can bring so much comfort to those that care.

[Innate]

Good for you.