Friends and Family

As of August 26, 2011, it has been five weeks since our father, Colin MacDiarmid, passed away. Even though every day eases the pain just a little bit, it seems that the pain is replaced with sadness as we miss him more and more. I wish that it was just yesterday, or even just last week, that we last spoke with him. As a compromise to not being able to turn back time before the accident, it would be a tad more comforting if we could freeze time so that our last memories of time spent with him were that much more fresh.

The past month has passed rather quickly for us, regardless. After returning to work and making somewhat of an effort to get back to everyday affairs, we scheduled a trip back to Prescott Valley to move dad out of his apartment there. The timing worked out well for us, as we were able to both begin and end the trip with events that included our newfound friends and “family.”

The VMC (Victory Motorcycle Club) National “Meet” (of which dad was a member) was in Prescott, August 4-7. A dinner/banquet was held the final evening, and we were invited by Frank Gary, president of the Prescott Victory Riders, to attend. We again met some great guys from the club that had been down to visit dad a couple times. I speak for both myself and my brother when I say that seeing these guys, and spending time with them, is like seeing an old friend. Or, better yet, it is like seeing family.

After the dinner, there was a brief introduction of the charities for which the club had raised money to donate. The VMC had initially decided to donate 50% of the funds raised to a national charity and the remaining 50% to a local charity. But, after dad was involved in his accident, the group decided to split the local charity funds between two causes. In the end, the VMC donated $7,000 between the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Marine Corps Lance Corporal Michael Martinez (who was injured by an IED in Afghanistan) and dad. We are forever grateful and their kindness and hospitality will not be forgotten.

The majority of our week in Prescott Valley was spent sifting and sorting through all our father’s belongings. Our first night arriving in town was very difficult for us, as it was the first time for us to be in dad’s home since his passing. It was quite different than our past trips, these last few months, when we were planning ahead for dad’s return home.

The day before my brother and I were to return to California, we planned to travel to Phoenix to pick up dad’s cremated remains. Dad’s last ride home, which took place August 13th, was extremely difficult for my brother and I (much more than I had imagined). But the experience was amazing. 18 motorcycles arrived at Roberts Market Place early Saturday morning. From there, the group hit the road to travel to Phoenix, with my brother and I following pursuit in our “cage”. Once we arrived at the funeral home, another biker (the 19th bike) joined us as well.

Ian fondly recalls, when at a gas station convenience store (during a pit stop on the ride down), one of the riders being asked where their destination was. The rider, Hill-Billy, announced that he was on his way down to Phoenix to pick up a bud.

My brother and I had not discussed anything in regards to what would be done when we arrived at the funeral home. When we got there, we weren’t sure if one of us should go in, or both of us, or even a few of us. Without asking, though, the entire group of riders walked into the lobby of the funeral home with us. I had not thought much about how it would feel to pick dad up that day, but the moment we were handed dad’s cremated remains, I was overwhelmed. But, as bad as it was, it was so amazing that we had the entire group of riders standing by our side, offering us support. It was as if dad was standing among them. The group being there made all the difference in the world to us. We can’t thank them enough.

The ride, led by ride organizer and very good friend, Stony Monday, concluded safely at Smokin’ Harley’s Steakhouse. There, we stayed for lunch and reminisced about dad. And all was finished with a toast in dad’s honor.

Now that my brother and I are back at home and have had some time to regroup, both mentally and physically, we can now take the time to plan for dad’s memorial. Stony Monday (whom we call “Uncle Stony”) will be helping immensely with this and has already started to make some of the arrangements.

The date for dad’s memorial service is September 24th. The service will be held in Prescott (location and time to be provided later) with a reception, immediately following, at Smokin’ Harley’s Steakhouse. For more information, please check back here with us.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone again. The circumstance is so extremely unfortunate, but the friends, love and support are more wonderful than we could have ever dreamed.

We love you all,
Colin and Ian