April 6, 2014 these photos are very special to me since it was - TopicsExpress

April 6, 2014 these photos are very special to me since it was Maxs and my son James very first poker run! The day started out cool and overcast and I was a little concerned that it was going to rain. I called the night before to confirm if Max was still wanting to go. Max had good days and bad days then and I was just hoping that this day would be a good one. Little did I know that this day would be a day that all of us would cherish for a lifetime. I arrived to pick up Max just after 8am that morning. As always Christina met me at the door with a smile and said Max was still in bed and that he had a rough night. I told her that if he didnt feel up to it then we didnt have to go but Max wasnt having any of that. He came downstairs grabbed a shirt, jeans, boots, chaps, leather jacket and gloves. Did a check on his medications for the day and we were rolling in 30 minutes to get signed in for our first run. I had to avoid hitting any big bumps or holes because Max was very sensative to hard jolts. I found this out the hard way when I hit a pothole and heard a rather painful sounding grunt from behind me and a very passionate request NOT to do that again!!! We signed in as participants and got our arm bands and cards to draw our poker hand. If have never been on a poker run here is how it works. You have 5 stops at 5 different locations. You pay at the first stop where you register. You get an armband and you get to draw a card out of a paper bag. Your card you drew is put on a sheet. You go to 4 other designated stops and do the same thing until you have 5 cards. The best hand wins. James, Max and me all drew hands that were.....well lets just say it was pitiful but what was most important to me was we were all together. Through the day Max would get tired and at times would close his eyes and catch a little sleep. I said to him all day that he controled what we did and to just say the word and I would take him home if he was too tired to go on. He wasnt about to give up the day and quit half way. I still remember leaving the VFW In Millington headed for Arlington. We turned onto 385 and I hear Max behind me screaming FLOOR IT so I twist the grip till I hear laughtet and a very enthusiastic YEAH coming from behind me!!!! The stop in Arlington was a resturant and we decided to get some lunch. It was here that his fatigue finally caught up. We sat down in a booth and ordered lunch. Max was sitting on the outside and just couldnt hold his head up. We switched places and I put him on the inside against the wall and told him to catch a nap if he wanted. An hour and a half went by and Max was once again recharged and ready to hit the road. At this point we had only one stop left. We all knew our poker hands werent going to win anything but what you start you finish and we were having a great time. At the last stop the weather turned from overcast to light rain. At this time I had made the decision to end the day rather than head to the wild pigs awards party and bbq which included when you purchase the arm band. For those who knew Max especially after this day know this arm band very well. This arm band was placed on his wrist on April 6th and stayed there until Max was called home. He never allowed anyone to remove it. Just like all of us we have had days In the past that we remember and then there are days we never want to forget. To me it was a special day however Max knew it was much more. Max saw the importance of time spent doing something you love with the ones you love. His armband was never removed I believe so he would never forget. So what am I saying here? Only that we should cherish the times spent with the ones we love. To never forget how precious that time is. April 6th 2014. I will never forget. Memories made with Max my son and me.