I’m sitting here in the dwindling evening heat of southern Costa Rica, reflecting on how I got here. I almost don’t want this near-perfect year to end. 2013 has brought countless new friends, fulfilled promises and greatly expanded the horizons of a certain 12-year old who dared to dream as large as her kind heart and head would allow.
I am grateful beyond comprehension for the outpouring of kindness and support for our Motorcycle for Miracles campaign. With just under half of the distance covered (9,328 km) we’ve already reached nearly 75% of our goal of raising $25,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network and SickKids Hospital in Toronto for the Alyssa Rae Johnson Fund. I’m confident we’ll quickly reach our goal once the final stage of the journey begins in a few weeks.
The minute Holly suggested to me back in 2011 that she’d like me to take her on a motorcycle journey to our cottage in Ojochal, Costa Rica, she never wavered in her belief that she would one day pull into our driveway here between the heavenly ylang ylang trees and hibiscus bushes. She discovered early on that when you release a dream to the Universe the best thing you can do is begin telling people about it as they will hold you accountable for it. And accountable she was. Through every mile of bitter cold and sideways rain and ferocious wind and searing heat and dog chases and dead roadside horses and arduous border crossings, her enthusiasm never once flagged. She was my “thumbs ups everything’s okay dad” girl.
It’s almost impossible to thank everyone individually as it has taken an army of support to put us here safely: from the kindhearted offers of food and shelter, of roadside assistance and gifts of gear and many miles spent following a veritable brotherhood of motorcyclists who made it their mission to get us safely to the next town or state or sometimes even through border crossings. We’ve continually felt like we were under the protective wing of many, a legion of silent helpers who sought nothing more than the satisfaction of making sure we were led safely one step closer to our southern driveway.
It has been a terrific lesson for Holly in random acts of kindness, of seeing how the world is truly filled with good, honest people. In the smallest towns and largest cities she observed loving families, curious journalists and sweet street vendors who gave her bracelets and souvenirs. Countless families asked to have Holly return and live with them as an exchange student.
It will be a challenge for me to fire up the motorcycle at the end of January to begin the 12,000 km ride north to Los Angeles, Las Vegas and then home to Wasaga Beach, Ontario as I will have no pre-teen co-pilot with whom to share the laughter, the hunger, the rain. I will miss Holly’s fantastic gift for seeing the comical side of the most mundane things. I’ll miss the deep compassion she displays, even when she gives all of our food to Nicaraguan street dogs.
I’ve had the great gift of watching my child grow exponentially through the magic of geographical movement and it’s a gift I will treasure for the rest of my days. I’m not sure what 2014 will bring but if it delivers half of what 2013 gave us we will be grateful beyond words.
To the clients we’ve helped, thank you for the great gift of allowing us to help you move forward with your property decisions.
To my friends and family, I am always grateful for your input, support and unconditional love in all that we do.
To my lovely, loving wife Mary, thank you for helping make 2013 our best year ever in every possible way. And thank you for your absolute faith in knowing that I would safely deliver Holly to you nine countries later.
To Jocelyn, thank you for being such a remarkable, love-filled daughter…and thanks for letting me “borrow” your big sister for six weeks during our motorcycle journey. Seeing your smiling face in Ojochal made all of the hard moments of the journey well worth it.
And to Holly…thank you for putting me back in the saddle of what was once my greatest passion. I didn’t realize how much I had missed wandering the world on two wheels and I’m so glad you had the courage to table your dream and go for it. I would ride around the world with you in a heartbeat, kid.
Happy New Year to you all…
