My monthly ramblings and reflections

Sitting in a breakfast diner outside Charlotte, North Carolina, Neale Bayly and I are chowing down on scrambled eggs and bacon, chugging coffee. While prattling on about future Road Dirt story ideas, he suddenly stops, looks me in the eyes and suggests, “Rob, you should write a monthly ‘column’ yourself. Several of us write monthly musings for Road Dirt, but our readers don’t get that from you, the ‘head honcho’ so to speak. You’ve got so many personal stories to tell of your own, I believe the Road Dirt community would love getting to know you a bit better, don’t you think?” I had honestly never thought about that. Maybe I should. So here I go with some personal reflections in November.

I was in North Carolina for the weekend, attending the wedding of a long-time dear friend of mine named Art. At 71 years old, he is almost exactly 10 years older than me, nearly to the day. Art served many years in vocational church service, one of the nation’s leading authors and speakers on childhood Christian education and family ministry. Art’s marriage sadly ended in divorce, which blew his world apart- he resigned his position at one of the most influential Baptist churches in America in an effort to save his marriage, to no avail. It was a crushing blow to my friend, who confided in me through it all, wondering if his life’s work would survive all the critics who might judge him without knowing the details.

His life came crashing down around him, and he lost nearly everything.

Art moved into a small apartment alone, kept writing and publishing curriculum and materials for parents and families, and trudged on, trusting God to help and guide him forward. And He has. We’d been friends since 1990, and kept in touch across the miles and years. I always encouraged him to stay the course and not quit, as has so many of his closest friends. Art has since continued to flourish, both his work and his influence. Art helped me shoot my review of the beautiful MV Agusta Superveloce a few years ago. My daughters love him like an uncle. I’ve walked with him through loss, illness and recovery, as he has with me, and our friendship has strengthened despite time and distance. I love the guy like a brother.

My friend and his new bride, as he caught sight of me in the back at the closing of the ceremony. “You made it!”

So to sit in the back of that small church as Art exchanged vows with a lovely lady who herself has endured much suffering and pain at the death of her husband years ago, just filled my heart. Mimi (her name) has known Art for decades, as her family attended the same church Art served, and Art was present for the birth of their oldest, Josh, who in fact officiated their wedding all these years later. Art and Mimi reconnected about a year ago, began talking and spending time together, fell in love, and decided to finish their years here on earth together. They’ve both come full circle, and found each other. Like an old 80s pop song chimes, “Two less lonely people in the world.” A beautiful love story, of two souls who could not be more deserving of it.

Neale let me stay with him over the weekend while up for Art’s wedding, so we had ample opportunity to talk, kick around ideas, take a Sunday ride through western Charlotte on his motorcycles, and reflect together on our lives. The older we get, the more we desire to leave a lasting legacy of love and compassion for our fellow travelers in this life, both around the globe and across the street. It’s been a busy year for both of us- Neale’s service in Ukraine and Peru, my travels to Indonesia, Scotland, and points all over the map of our great country here. We both have much to be thankful for, as I know you do as well. It’s very much true- “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Blessings on you and yours this upcoming Holiday season, and “Ride Life”.

Rob

*Top photo: Neale and me out on the town in Charlotte, the evening before our “column conversations.”