| Author | Message | ||
     Prior |
Five years ago today, my friend Matt lost his battle with cancer and went to Heaven. Matt was one of my best friends, a fraternity brother and a big influence in my life; passing way too soon at 28. Some of the older Badwebbers may remember the trip I did in the summer of 2004 for Matt, RANE, and the outpouring of support for Matt and his family after he passed. The trip for Matt was the experience of a lifetime, and the friends and family I've gotten to know through his life have made impacts on me that I'll carry and cherish for the rest of my life. I know there are many others whom have been touched by Matt as well, and it's bought many of us together as friends for life. Matt's Dad, Mitch, sent this email out this morning, much easier to read than the one I was reading 5 years ago today. The Wares are an incredible family, and do so much to keep Matt's memory alive. Team - It was five years ago this afternoon that Matt went to heaven. Seems like just yesterday. Words can't express how much we all miss him... his quick wit, his huge heart, his deep blue eyes, his laugh, even his 'need' to boss his brothers around :-) We find comfort in our faith in an Almighty God and the fact that one day we will all be together again. In the meantime, we continue to fight the good fight as Matt did and in his name, in an attempt to find a cure for this disease. By God's grace... one day soon, there WILL be a declaration of victory over cancer! Mom's and Dad's will no longer lose their children, son's and daughters will no longer lose their Mom's or Dad's this way. What a glorious day that will be. JB2 and Ferris got together and had a tank painted for this trip to have folks sign along the way. JB2 shot a coat of clear on the tank a while back, which I just got back a few weeks ago. I've never posted pictures of the tank other than on the bike, lots of memories there, some signatures worn away by the road and by time.        If Matt were here today, he'd say cherish everyone in your life, don't waste a minute and work hard, play hard. That was his mantra. Raise a glass in his honor, and we'll pass his flask in Franklin. Matt, miss you, Brother! Thanks for all of the great memories, and the lessons in life!!!  (Message edited by awprior on May 08, 2012) | ||
| Brumbear |
Pegs down I can't believe it's 5 years already. | ||
| Daves |
Thank you, Matt and Matt's family for bringing all of us along. May is always a tough month for me too. | ||
| Fb1 |
Ride in Peace, Matt Ware. You certainly touched a lot of lives in your short time here on Earth. Alex, thank you for your friendship. Well done, amigo. FB  Matt and Alex with the Alien Twins September 2006 | ||
| Jb2 |
Matt brought a lot of folks together... a lot of folks who never knew or even met him. Each time we take a shot from his flask I am reminded how lucky Matt was to have Alex. His spirit rides on. | ||
| Ulywife |
Thanks for bringing Matt into our lives Alex. You truly showed all of us the meaning of friendship and love. We will celebrate Matt's life along with the friends we have in our lives because of him. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
29 is to young. Thanks for posting and reminding me why I like badweb so much. pegs down | ||
| Court |
That's an accurate statement. You are well on your way to being as wise as Big Jim . . . not there yet, well on your way.  We've lost some amazing people who's spirits grow stronger with time. Thanks for posting this reminder. Court | ||
| M2statz |
I just had my seat off last night on which the "Matt Ware Rides with me" patch lives. I agree with Daves, May is a very hard month for me also. Thanks for sharing Alex. A great reminder that life is too short to sweat the small stuff and most of it is small stuff. | ||
| Hootowl |
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| Denisea |
Matt must be smiling down on all of us - without having met him personally, but having mutual friendships - I know he had to have been one heckuva great guy. That summer of 2004 seems like yesterday. Thanks for reminding us of how important it is to take time for friends and family today. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Yup, remember that ride,and saw my patch just the other day. And there is my signature! | ||
| Prior |
The friendships we've all forged through Matt are amazing. He'd love our group- much like JB1 and the crew that comes together for him on Memorial day. I cannot thank you all enough for your friendship, support and just for being you- that's what makes life rich. This little Buell hobby has changed my life- and I hope others benefit in the same way. For all of that, I am forever grateful! (Message edited by awprior on May 09, 2012) | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Alex, I can't believe it's been 5 years. I too just came across my patches. I promise I will sew them on one of my jackets this year. Even though I didn't know Matt, he has an impact on me. The patches will remind me not to forget.  Thanks Alex, I really look forward to the next time we meet. Brad | ||
| Two_seasons |
I think the older we get the more we cherish each friendship we've made along the way. Thanks for posting Alex. | ||
| Court |
>>>I think the older we get the more we cherish each friendship we've made along the way. It really is amazing. I plopped my ass down recently and started penning a tome about some of the people, places and predicaments that the last 25 years of motorcycling has provided. It changed my life. Some of the people have been amazing. | ||
| Fb1 |
Some of the people have been amazing. Indeed.    | ||
| Reepicheep |
Matt is one of the most awesome people I never got to meet. His family rocks also. | ||
| Fb1 |
Bill, I tried to pull "Reep's Prayer" out of the Tale Section archives, but the page is corrupted. Do you have a copy of it still? I'd love to read it again. FB | ||
| Reepicheep |
I doubt it, but I'll do some hunting. It was a moving time. | ||
| Bartimus |
I remember the ride well, and still have the patch on my jacket. It is getting worn, and faded, but Matt lives on in our memories... | ||
| Bcordb3 |
It's hard to believe it has been 5 years since Matt has passed away. And the people that he had touched. I do remember he a special breakfast that he enjoyed at a local restaurant . I hope someone went there and had one in his honor, waffle dish as I remember. RIP Matt. | ||
| Prior |
That would be the strawberry stuffed waffles at the Red Geramium. It's a little cafe in Grand Rapids that was a few blocks from Matt's house. They had it as a special one time; Matt liked it so much he kept asking for it when he was there. It's on the menu all the time now, unfortunately not called the Matt Special though. I have my recept from when I was there the morning after his service. Lots of memories spurred on by this thread. You guys rock! | ||
| Doerman |
Matt is taken care of, rest assured. It is you I want to thank for making Matt's legacy a living memory in all of us. All those he touched. | ||
| Fb1 |
That would be the strawberry stuffed waffles at the Red Geranium. It's a little cafe in Grand Rapids that was a few blocks from Matt's house.  Matt and his parents, Mitch & Lori, outside the Red Geranium, September 2006 Alex, getting to hang out with Matt, Mitch & Lori and you and Gentleman Jim up in Grand Rapids for a precious few hours is one of the highlights of my life. What an honor! I remember Matt being a little self-conscious about his weight while we were there, one of the side-effects of the steroids, he said, and struggling some with his memory at times, but justifiably proud that two-and-a-half years after his diagnosis, and brain surgery, and all the frikkin' chemo, that he was still living independently, in his own home. Way cool. I love the love in the photo above. As I recall, after we finished breakfast they were headed to Alma College to see son/brother Scotty play football. Even this far along in Matt's illness, look at the "I'm still in charge!" look and posture he's got going on. He adored his parents, and vice versa. The e-mail updates that Mitch sent out regularly during Matt's journey is still some of the most poignant, powerful stuff I've ever had the privilege to read. Everyone, Today at 4:40 pm, Matt jumped into the arms of the Lord and left his broken down body behind. As you know, I had promised him that his family would be by his side and that he would not be alone. We almost goofed that up. Dan, Scott, Tim and I had left his room for just a moment. I came back in and Lori told me that he had spared me, and had gone to heaven. I thought, 'NO!' It is not supposed to work this way, and felt horrible that I had walked into the hall for even a moment. I picked up his hand and began to pray a prayer asking God to welcome him to Himself, and as I prayed Matt took another breath. I then prayed a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking God for loaning Matt to us for 28 years... Tim, Scott, and Dan walked in. Matt took yet another breath, and we held his hands... and each other and thanked God for Matt in our lives. Matt ever so lightly squeezed my hand and went to the Lord. It doesn't get any better then that!! As prepared as we could possibly be for this, we are a little numb, and just resting in God's peace tonight. I will send out an email with the details for the final arrangements for Matt tomorrow. I can tell you that the memorial service will be Saturday and visitation will be Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow I will have all of the final details. I hope that you can share in the peace that God is providing, and that you can come share in the celebration of Matt's life with us! With much love, Mitch and family May 8, 2007 Ride in peace, Matt; you touched us all. FB (Message edited by fb1 on May 11, 2012) | ||
| Fb1 |
Found it!!!!!!! [January 26, 2006] I wasn't going to post this here, because my prayers are vertical (to God) not horizontal (to men). I emailed it [to Matt], but it feels appropriate to put it here [BadWeB], so Matt knows already what he has gone and stirred up right here in public, in the midst of an internet biker bar.  Anyone interested, I invite you to grab your sword (cigars optional) and join me in worship from 10 to 11 tomorrow night, outside under the stars. I'll be the one with the rocket launcher. ============================================== This is Bill Kilgallon (Reepicheep from www.badweatherbikers.com). You have some good friends there in Alex and Jerry. Tomorrow evening, Friday Jan 27, from 10 pm to 11 pm EST, I will be saying a prayer for Matt and Matt's family. I will *not* be praying for Matt to be "well." I will *not* be praying for Matt to be "better." I will be praying for Matt to fully become the worst nightmare of him that would seek to destroy God's children. I will pray that Matt, through the power of our living God, walks boldly and bravely, carrying with him the GLORY of Christ, be it to life here on earth, or to victory in heaven. I will speak out against the foul spirits, who would crush the flesh and weigh down the spirit, and demand the presence of our loving Father, and of our relentless savior. I will not bind him with my narrow selfish earthly desires, yet I will rest absolutely in what I know to be true of his nature, and demand boldly that he bring you courage, that he bring you strength, that he be with you at all times. I will pray he opens your eyes Matt to see parts of him that those of us trapped in this foul compromise of a sleepy delusional safety can only long for. I pray this strength of his presence fill the places you go, that no one can be near you and not experience transformation as a result of He that walks with you. "You meant this for evil, but God meant this for good." I have two pictures attached that will be with me while I pray. The first is an image of me as I intercede for you tomorrow night. It is a picture of a soldier, with rifle, night vision gear, and a rocket launcher, sitting quietly and watching attentively. I don't know if it will be God's will that the enemy be exposed and that I get off a shot tomorrow night, but by God I hope so. I will take it, if I can. The second picture is a piece of concept art done for the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie. It is Aslan, bright, warm, strong, and dangerous in the midst of dark times and dark places. He stands watching, he stands waiting, and he is in control, as his army marches behind him to the battle to crush evil. Matt, I pray for you to be dangerous, I pray for you to be powerful, and I pray we both be forever altered by the presence of the Living God, whatever his will for us would be. | ||
| Reepicheep |
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| Reepicheep |
 Thanks for finding that. It brings back some really powerful memories. | ||
| Prior |
Jerry, Thanks for posting both of those emails. I held back on Mitch's, was going to post that today. Beat me to it. I remember the night we all prayed for Matt very well. Most excellent words, Reep, and glad it's out of the archives. I'll print a copy of this and add it to my journal of Matt's Journey. One of my favorite memories from that visit with Matt was when he realized I was the one that had him stuck in the back of cop car at the fraternity house... |
