After a great deal of thought I decided to share my husband's life with you.
Caleb James Bryant, born June 17,1972, was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 4, 2008. He was riding an absolutely beautiful (and highly customized) '07 Ducati S4RS. We were on our way home from a perfectly lovely ride to Santa Barbara and back when it happened. He collided head-on with an SUV coming through a blind corner. I was fortunate enough to be with him when he left this world. It was only my 5th ride on a motorcycle.
Obviously my life hasn't been the same and will never be again. But I continue to ride, learn, and do what I can to understand what happened. In the mean time, I wanted to share my beautiful, brilliant, amazing husband with you. This seemed the time to do it. I couldn't let 2008 go by completely without making his existence known.
Caleb was a brilliant engineer with 7 patents to his name, a loving husband, a music lover and a renaissance man. He spent his free time riding motorcycles, playing guitar, traveling, and rolling at his favorite ju jitsu dojo. His retirement plan was, “Ericka, you write a best selling novel, and we'll get a house in Tahiti. I'll fish and play guitar.†Most importantly, he made me laugh. Every day.
We held an incredible memorial for him on July 10th. There were at least 300 in attendance, which is a testament to his remarkable life and the people whose lives he touched. Please, in honor of his life, visit his memorial website and my facebook page as well. (The facebook page requires you to have an account, which is free, but the pics I have up there are phenomenal and well-worth the visit.) You'll find some great stories and amazing pictures.
http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/calebbryant/homepage.aspx (http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/calebbryant/homepage.aspx)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=13244&id=1041795868 (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.php?aid=13244&id=1041795868)
I have also been blessed with many dear friends whom I never expected to witness a day when Caleb and I were not together. Stuart (DucStew) is one of them, and has become more than a friend. In recent days he's not only looked after me, escorted me to track days, and ridden with me when prudence suggested otherwise, but he's been here for me during my darkest hours when I never thought I would make it through the night. Thank you, Stu.
Please, honor my husband and fellow rider by acknowledging his wonderful life. He was, and remains, an amazing being.
;D
People look at me and wonder why I have this shit eating grin on my face...
It's so I don't cry.
:-*
glass raised.
As a wordsmith by profession I should be able to say something but I am failing miserably. I am sorry.
May 2009 bring you some unexpected laughter...every day.
Chris
Hmmm
I'm sorry for your loss.
Can't find anything worth saying .... other than the fact that you're sharing your memories proves the value of what was.
Thank you for sharing Ericka. :) ((hugs))
big hugs
On this New Year's Eve I raise a toast for you, may you be blessed in 2009. [wine]
On New Years Day, I'll ride with Caleb in mind. :'( [moto]
I'll raise a glass in remembrance and good thoughts tonight. [beer]
Thank you so much, everyone. You are an amazing bunch!!! [wine]
Happy New Year's to All!
[drink] [wine]
[beer]
Now Gwendy and I have been talking about this. It's really close to home in terms of age group and that she is a new rider (and bike for make the beast with two backs's sake).
I am humbled.
truly.
Here's a woman who is a new motorcyclist and despite this incident she joined here, participated actively, and is still riding.
Tough chick. (with all the good and honor that saying that entails).
Our glass is raised to Ericka tonight. She's the one we can all learn from.
I'd help run this place if there were one of you for every thousand members.
I'm going to go try to make Gwendy laugh.
Thank you.
I am very sorry for your loss. I don't really know what to say, your post touched me deeply.
A toast to Caleb and to your strength on this New Year's Eve.
RIP.
I commend you on your strength .
My deepest condolences. As this year closes I will raise a glass for those that are no longer with us and raise my glass again to all those they left behind.
May the new year temper your loss and bring you the best of luck and life.
Late to the game - but sorry to hear about your husband. By your description, it seems he and I would have a lot to talk about.
Let 2009 be a great year for you.
mitt
May he rest in peace and peace be with you.
Thank you for sharing.
+1 on the hugs.
Thank you for sharing Ericka. He seems like an amazing man. We're hear for you if there's ever anything you need.
{big hugs}
Gone but not never forgotten
I'll throw you a big NY Hug (if you make DIMBY I will throw you a real one)
[speechless]
Thank you for sharing, and best wishes.
Wow..that's a lot to take in! Thank you for sharing though.
It looks like you had many happy moments together. :)
For some reason, this song popped into my head as I was scrolling through the pics..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbMeAOTPJzM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbMeAOTPJzM)
Thank you ericka,
For sharing with us, your loss.
(big, big, hugs)
It's wonderful that you got to spend some time in life with such a person.
Your character seems to be made from the same great stuff, so it's wonderful as well that you grace us with your presence and continue his work in this world.
big [thumbsup]
So sorry, Ericka. He sounds like someone I would have loved to have met. :'(
Another big hug.
I'd say Caleb was a lucky man to have shared his life with you. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.
May this new year bring you happiness and good health.
Charlie
I heard about the death of your husband a few weeks ago
I thought it was pretty amazing you kept riding
most would not
You are a very resilient woman and I am glad you shared your story with us
this is what our community is about at it's foundation
and
I am proud to know that you have taken a little bit of comfort here
Stay Strong
Thank you all for taking the time to get to "know" Caleb, and thank you so much for your care and support.
This community has been a huge help to me & I'm so grateful to be here amongst so many new found friends.
Thanks for the virtual hugs BP, Dave, Paula, Mary, Chris, JBub, Speedbag and everyone else!
Mitt, you're an engineer too, right? I think you guys would have had a lot in common.
IZ, thank you so much for posting that song. It brought tears to my eyes. I'm really touched you sought that out and put it up here. I looked through the pics again too, listening to that.
YOU ALL ROCK! [bow_down]
May 2009 bring you all great joy, love, abundance, and many good times with friends & loved ones!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
[beer]
It has been a hard road for Ericka to go and indeed she is a strong willed woman with a resilience that I've never seen before.
Her spirit is unbroken despite what she has gone through. It is an amazing thing to be witness to.
I had the honor of being her 'coach' as she got back on her Monster and rode again for the first time. She did amazingly well. We've been riding now for a few months and her confidence is much improved (thanks in part to the Keith Code Superbike school she attended this fall).
She is indeed a renaissance woman who's list of accomplishments some people never achieve in thier lifetime let alone not quite 1/2 way through it. I knew early on that she would be stronger still after this ordeal had (mostly) passed (as one never really gets over an ordeal like this). And she was strong as an ox before this mind you...
I'm honored to have her in my life and thankful....very, very thankful. [thumbsup] I'm looking forward to seeing her grow and heal more and more in this new year.
--Stuart
River:
now looking at your avatar means so much more.
I had more to say but am at a total loss.
Jim
wow...
a toast to Caleb James Bryant [beer]
and one for you as well River [beer]
:'( ... WOW. sigh; ut humm; beast with 2 backs; I didn't want to open this thread; because I had a feeling what the title eluded to. I had allot of difficulty reading it, I cant imagine writing it. I'm glad you shared; I lost a friend 5 years ago; his motorcycle went out of control, hit a telephone pole; it stopped me from getting that bike for a long time; and when I've pushed the limits I break out in a sweat thinking about the consiquence and the people. Your a strong person. Thank you. Ride on; I suspect he is. [moto]
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I've never read a more moving memorial. I think that if I was so blessed in this life as to have someone who loved me the way you two love each other... well, I'd know that I had truly lived well.
May you have an amazing 2009.
Im sorry for your lost.
Cheers to a remarkable man and the life that you lived together.
Never Forget.
[beer]
Wife and I raising our glasses to your Husband.
My wife just started riding, so like Statler said, other than age ;D, it effects me in the same way.
We wish you all the best in 2009.
Cheers and God Speed Caleb.
Caleb James Bryant was very fortunate to have had someone love him so much.
LA
You have done a wonderful job celebrating his life, here. I suspect you do the same each time you take a ride - that is an extraordinary and extraordinarily brave way to pay tribute to the life of what sounded like a truly remarkable person.
All the best for you in 09 - I hope it brings you peace and happiness...
Wow, I'm sorry I came into this late and terribly sorry for your loss. I lost 2 people that were very close to me in the last 3 months and couldn't even imagine losing someone as close as a spouse. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I don't know if I could get back on like you did. It was hard for me to get back on just after laying mine down at 3 mph. You truly are an example of inner strength and will power. [clap]
Quote from: metallimonster on January 02, 2009, 08:57:46 AM
I lost 2 people that were very close to me in the last 3 months and couldn't even imagine losing someone as close as a spouse.
+11tb
I keep thinking about this thread a lot. :'(
I'm having a lot of trouble getting over the loss of my Dad a month ago (and nearly my mother-in-law this very week to the flu), but I truly cannot fathom your situation Ericka. If you have any good tips for me, please PM.
Take care, all, and hug your peeps.
in retrospect, however limited the time you had, you were fortunate enough to have even that. hard to remember at times, but its something to consider. the lessons you learned and the times you had stay with you. all this you already know.
wishing you the best for 2009 and the coming years.
Camus was right, the bastard.
If we could make buildings out of the human spirit, earthquakes wouldn't be an engineering challenge.
I'm glad you have joined our community. We're all better by association.
thanks for showing us a piece of you and Caleb. How precious a gift you and he had, and thanks for thinking us worthy to let us sneak a peek!!
your strength is amazing!
a toast to all the good people in our lives!! [beer]
Quote from: lauramonster on January 02, 2009, 08:59:32 PM
thanks for showing us a piece of you and Caleb. How precious a gift you and he had, and thanks for thinking us worthy to let us sneak a peek!!
your strength is amazing!
a toast to all the good people in our lives!! [beer]
Hear, hear!
thank you for sharing
Im sorry for your loss..
Ericka
I am so sorry for your loss. I actually new Caleb back in Junior High and High School. I remember him as being fun, energetic, and a genuinely nice guy.
We had a lot of drafting classes together, it doesn't suprise me that he got into engineering. We didn't keep in touch after high school, in college I bet he loved design but hated the math. I went into engineering as well. Thank you for posting the memorial site, I feel like I got to know him again. He was a cool guy back in school, I'm sure he was a cool guy as an adult.
Andy
Thanks for sharing, Ericka.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, but amazed at your spirit!
Here's to a great 2009 and beyond.
Ericka I never knew Caleb or you but feel as if I somewhat do now. Thank you for sharing it must be so hard. I cannot find the right words but my heart goes out to you and the people around you. Memories last a lifetime. I hope in the new year you can add new special memories to the great meaningful moments you shared with Caleb.
I wanted to respond to this sooner but nothing inspirational or profound came to mind. Only :'(. Then it struck me that I'm the one who's been profoundly inspired by you and your story. Thank you Ericka for giving me a little bit of extra strength to face my own challenges this year.
Cheers to Caleb and cheers to you! [beer] May your 2009 be happy, healthy and productive.
- Bill
Quote from: adrDuc on January 03, 2009, 10:06:19 AM
We had a lot of drafting classes together, it doesn't suprise me that he got into engineering. We didn't keep in touch after high school, in college I bet he loved design but hated the math. I went into engineering as well. Thank you for posting the memorial site, I feel like I got to know him again. He was a cool guy back in school, I'm sure he was a cool guy as an adult.
Andy
I PM'd you but I had to post up here too. It's really a small world, isn't it???
You are right, in college and in his professional life he LOVED designing, hated the math, and had little patience for people who didn't know what they were doing. ;) He really was a genius when it came to design, as evidenced by the many patents he held.
Thanks so much for posting up! It's GREAT to hear from someone who knew him way back when... :)
Quote from: alfisti on January 03, 2009, 12:59:17 PM
I wanted to respond to this sooner but nothing inspirational or profound came to mind. Only :'(. Then it struck me that I'm the one who's been profoundly inspired by you and your story. Thank you Ericka for giving me a little bit of extra strength to face my own challenges this year.
Cheers to Caleb and cheers to you! [beer] May your 2009 be happy, healthy and productive.
- Bill
I hardly know what to say. I'm glad you were inspired. I wish you all the strength, courage, faith and fortitude that you'll need to get you through this year. More importantly than that, I wish you love--it really is the most powerful force in the Universe, and with it you can move mountains.
PM me any time.
May 2009 bring you health, happiness and abundance!
River,
That is a truly beautiful and touching legacy website you've put together to honor Caleb. Thanks for sharing such a personal part of your life. You've shared with me before and I now have a more complete picture of the beautiful life that you two had together. You obviously have a strong network of support. If you need one more, count me in.
Happy New Year and hugs to you.
r_ciao
River you are in my thoughts, and I will be remembering Caleb on my next ride. [thumbsup]
Hugs to you for being so strong, the words you posted recently during my loss makes so much more sense now,
thanx for being the person you are [thumbsup]
Thanks for sharing Caleb's life with us.
Your strength is profound. [thumbsup]
You, both, are in my thoughts.
A big (cold) Buffalo hug headed your way.
I don't normally come to NMC, but I'm glad I did this morning.
I wish I could've met Caleb, he was a great guy from what I can tell. Thank you for sharing.
Take care,
Andy
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.