Lura, now

Sheldon P., born 1921
Sheldon P, born in 1921, got a very special birthday present – the ride of a lifetime he’d been dreaming about for a very long time. When asked by his caregiver what dream he would like to see fulfilled he got this sparkle in his eye and said he’d love “to know what it feels like to ride on a motorcycle again.”

This dream request was then submitted to Ageless Dreamer who then located a volunteer who owned a motorcycle with a sidecar.  A glitch in that plan came  four days before the event, when the volunteer called to let us know that his “bike” was having engine problems and would not be available for a few weeks.  With perfect weather expected for the weekend, we didn’t want to reschedule the event so we took out our magic hat.

Ageless Dreamer sent an “email blast” to their growing network of friends and supporters asking for help in locating someone owning a motorcycle with a sidecar willing to volunteer on short notice. Lo and behold the “email blast” went a bit viral and those who didn’t have a bike but knew someone who might forwarded the email on.  The Ageless Dreamer phoneline started ringing and within 48 hours we had not one, but two  motorcycles with sidecars.

It only got better from there when we learned that the two generous volunteers (who did not know each other at the time) owned classic bikes:  David Hills, Durham, NH arrived with a 1966 BMW with a sidecar;  and Ron Roberts, Stratham, NH, along with his son Jared, road in with their 1941 Indian with a German side car.   No one was more surprised or excited than Sheldon, who, 71 years ago could be found riding on an Indian motorcycle for two years. The memories came rushing back.


Sheldon in 1939 and 2010

Another unexpected surprise, which made the experience even more special for Sheldon, was when his wife, Phyllis, made a spontaneous decision to ride the Indian since “Shelly” was riding in the BMW.  Why the surprise? Because Phyllis “never” would ride with Shelly because he “used to go over curbings just to make things interesting!”.   Everyone was inspired with their enthusiasm to ride and feel the thrill of the motorcycle once again in spite of earlier health issues.  Shelly and Phyllis simply proved to everyone that you’re “never too old to dream” and experience the magic of a dream as it unfolds.