 A lovely story about a photograph and an old motorcycle
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I received a lovely message from a friend in my motorcycle club today that really gave me one of those "feel good" moments. Some history behind this story. 5 years ago, whilst at my Motorcycle Restoration & Preservation Clubs annual inspection day, I had a photographic moment of magic when I was walking past an old Norton and all the boxes seemed to be ticked for what might turn out to be a nice picture. This old bike was neatly parked between two small pine trees with a horse grazing peacefully behind it. I didn't know who's bike it was at the time but when the picture was published in our clubs monthly magazine, a very frail old fellow who owned the machine approached me to see if he could get a copy of the picture. I gave him a CD with the pic on it with instructions on how to take the disc to the local photo developers to get some prints done. The family had a large print of my pic done and it took pride & place on his mantlepiece. Well this old fellow passed away last week and I wasn't able to make it to his funeral held today but the message I received from a friend in the club was as follows: John, you may be glad to know that at Colin's funeral today the photo which you took (of the bike and horse) was in the centre of the tribute table at the front of the chapel. The family all tell the same story: Col was so taken with that image, that he reassured them before he died that he was “putting on the back pack, and going over the fence to the next paddock now”. A beautiful thought from a man who was at peace at the end of his life. 
Last edited by Johnquinnell; 12/01/2011 4:39 PM.
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Great picture and story! 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,728 Likes: 5 |
very cool
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Great picture and story!
Absolutely! 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
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Fantastic! 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,219 Likes: 61 |
That is really cool and touching.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: Nov 2008
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Adjunct
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Beautiful.
08 America
Rinehart exhaust, Clearview shield, Viking bags and magic carb's
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Its the story that makes that photo priceless. But you knew that already didn't you. Great pic, precious story. Peace when the end comes is a beautiful thing.
Its more fun to be ridin'! I'm still ridin 
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Re: A photographs effect on other people
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Joined: May 2011
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Funny how the small things end up counting at the end of the day. Well done.
Ride like you mean it.
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Re: A lovely story about a photograph and an old motorcycle
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Joined: Mar 2007
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Excellent! Just excellent!
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: A lovely story about a photograph and an old motorcycle
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Joined: Dec 2006
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New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
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So who got the bike?  Seriously, We never know the positive impact we have on peoples' lives doing small favors. It's called grace.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: A lovely story about a photograph and an old motorcycle
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
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Nice bike
Arsenalfan. AKA Mark Able
Seller of fine automobiles.
Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche of Chattanooga
423-424-4000
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Re: A lovely story about a photograph and an old motorcycle
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Im not sure what Col's family are going to do with the bike. Sometimes, from what I've seen in our club, another family member takes over custodianship of the bike but our club also has machine valuers that let the family know what the true value of the machine is worth so in the event of them wishing to sell it, they don't get ripped off. Sometimes fellow club members may purchase the machine to add to their collection and our club will also advertise the bike for the family through our club magazine that is distributed around our state to like minded clubs. The last thing we want to see is a beautiful running machine, bought for virtually nothing from a scrupulous ebay seller then broken down & sold off for parts.
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Re: A lovely story about a photograph and an old motorcycle
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Joined: Nov 2007
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
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That made my day. Thanks! 
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: A lovely story about a photograph and an old motorcycle
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02 bonneville america, only bike i've owned, bought new. tpusa 994 big bore, Carillo rods, stage one head work, fcr 39 carbs, bc bomber pipes
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