Imagine a 70-year-old woman buying a new dirt bike. That was Shirley, always on a quest for adventure even into her nineties. Shirley along with her sons are motorcycle enthusiasts, and Shirley enjoyed riding into her seventies.
In October of 2009, Shirley was all set to turn 90. She had become more withdrawn in the months and years leading up to her ninetieth birthday. Even though she was turning ninety, she still dreamed of going for rides on her son’s motorcycle. With her growing weakness, however, that just didn’t seem possible. Her nurse came up with the idea of taking her on a ride in a motorcycle sidecar. “That would be cool!” Shirley said with a smile.
A Life Celebrated found a local businessman on Facebook who had a motorcycle and sidecar. Along with 15 American Legion-Michigan riders, he escorted Shirley on a motorcycle ride along the neighboring roads. Lori Morrison, owner of Ribar Flowers, donated flowers for the event and recruited a professional photographer to donate her services.
At the end of the ride Shirley was asked what she liked most about riding in a motorcycle. “The speed - there’s no time for worrying!” she said, grinning.