Joy and laughter in unexpected places

[fimbrethil]

Last night, somewhere between 700-800 motorcycles rode down to the site and laid a wreath at midnight near the entry to the PATH trains. We are not allowed into the site proper since this is not an official run. At some point, a woman on one of the city's rental bikes joined us for a few blocks as she tried to make her way somewhere. Then there was the guy on the Honda wearing shorts and flip flops that watched us riding by about a mile into the run. Later, I saw him again, proudly riding with us and it brought a smile to my face. Since this was an unofficial ride, we did not have a police escort like in years prior. And yet, as we rode into lower Manhattan, there were police cars every two the three blocks along the route. One guy on a Suzuki took initiative and acted as a rode captain, blocking traffic on his little sport bike. Several blocks down, he was joined by some big burly bikers on Harleys to back him up. Down at the wreath hanging, Bree burst into tears and a biker we don't know asked if she was ok. When we told him that she had lost her father, he gathered her into a big hug and comforted her. This morning, I recieved messages from unexpected places and I am very grateful. I choose this ride over the organized official rememberance because it doesn't include politicians and it doesn't have camera crews. It is simply a couple hundred people paying their respects in the best way they know how. I don't know if I will ever go down to the reflecting pools but Liam is always nearby so it doesn't matter where I am on this day because he is here with me, with Bree and with the rest of the Colhoun family.

I just want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who supports us here on this day. Whether you've been with us since day one or joined us somewhere in the last 12 years, the outpouring of love and support we receive here each and every year is heartwarming and helps and we appreciate it so much.