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POST: Ashwins wake 7/27/09

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15K views 77 replies 45 participants last post by  Esme  
#1 · (Edited)
milenko,slientalero,brandon, thanks for leading the 3 groups up there from SOW. we were all able to roll in at the same time and everything safe on the way to the funeral home.

Chuck, my heart was with you while you spoke up there for us. well done.

mandy thank you for doing those ribbons and also handling the money with the funeral director.

EVERYONE thank you all for being caring riders and showing your support for Ashwin and his family. it clearly showed today by maybe upwards of 100-200 people that were able to make it from the looks from the amount of people that made it and the MANY more that couldn't be there in person but we showed we care about our community and our fellow riders and our friends.

i had to leave once it was over and we payed our respects to him, it pains me deeply to see anyone get hurt that i know let alone pass away.

let his death be a reminder to cherish life and those around you in it and to reach out and help.

you guys make me proad and value you all.

be safe.

Rest in peace brother.
 
#2 ·
Your welcome Ken.

The hardest thing is seeing a mother and father have to say goodbye to their 23 year old son. Chuck, I applaud you for the speech you gave. It took a lot to get up there and say what we all wanted to but were to tear filled not to be able to. Ashwin will def be watching over all of us.

Rest in peace man
 
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#3 ·
It was good to see everyone there showing support for Ash and his family.

It broke me up a few times while folks were speaking, even saw tears rolling down Ody's face.

Ride safely out there folks.
 
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#17 ·
That was the hardest part of the morning for me. I couldn't watch the video on the screen either. If there is a link to it somewhere, let me know. I just couldn't watch it with all the quotes on the screen. Every time I see that photo of him with his hand down the track, I lose it. Because to me that shows how relaxed and fun riding was for him.

Thanks to Nessey for letting me ride her bike in the group ride to the service. I was very uneasy on part of the ride. The route that we took went right through the intersection on Roselle Rd. by the golf course where I was very nearly killed in 1996.

This weekend will be the most memorable MSF course I've ever taught. I hope to share with them all the passion for this sport that he would have shared with them.

The staff from the MSF at NIU was there as well. They didn't know Aswhin very long. But I know they could tell how much he will be missed by all those that came out.

Typically when that many of us are together, we're telling stories or lies and being the big kids that we are. Seeing us all together and for the most part speechless, really hit home as to how much he meant to this community.

How do I get the stickers that a few people had on their bikes?
 
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#5 ·
The love that was felt there today was amazing and breath taking... A kind soul has left his mark in all of our hearts. Mandy, you are truly a great leader and friend.

I tried to hold myself together, but the words shared in honor of Ashwin took every ounce of strength I had. I lost it when I heard Chuck speak and when Ashwin's mother approached his coffin.... as a mother I can tell you that losing your child is THE worst nightmare... God give her the strength to endure this loss and let her take comfort in knowing that she raised a wonderful man... a great friend... and now an angel to watch over us.

The sight of the bikes riding in was something that I'm sure put a smile on our beloved friend's face.

Fait acompli mon ami!
 
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#12 ·
Yeah it was hard to keep my composure at the Funeral home. I left early as I was playing hooky from work and had to head back DT. I was the bike rolled up as I was leaving. Chuck I wish I was there when you gave the speech, I will get a hold of you when you get back from Texas.. Good to see some CLSB support I am sure it made his parents proud that he touched so many lives. The video that they played while I was in there is what really tore me up. Just knowing that all of us where with him not long ago and now he is gone.


Don't take anything for granted.
 
#13 ·
Chuck's speech was a great moment, most definitely. It was hard just being there, but imagine how much harder it was for him to go up and speak.

I also thought it was great that the guy who runs the YZF forum came all the way out from California to be there to speak about Ash.

Mandy, as everyone has already said, thank you for organizing the collection for his family.

And thanks to everyone who came, whether you knew Ash or not, to show your support for his family and for representing a community I am now even prouder to be a member of.
 
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#14 ·

My friend drove off the other day,
Now he's gone and all they say,
Is you got to live 'cause life goes on...

But now I see I'm mortal, too,
I can't live my life like you,
Got to live it up, while life goes on.

And I think that it's all right,
That I do what I like,
'Cause that's the way I want to live.
it's how I give, and I'm still givin'...

And now I wonder 'bout my friend,
If he gave all he could give,
'Cause he lived his life like I live mine.

If you could see inside my head,
Then you'd start to understand,
The things I value in my heart.

And I think that it's all right,
That I do what I like,
'Cause that's the way I want to live.
it's how I give, and I'm still givin'...

You know that...
I know that...
You're watchin' me!

And I think that it's all right,
That I do what I like,
'Cause that's the way I wanna live.
it's how I give, and I'm still givin'...

Got to make a plan,
Got to do what's right,
Can't run around in circles,
If you wanna build a life,
But I don't want to make a plan,
For a day far away,
While I'm young and while I'm able,
All I want to do is...
Click to expand...
 
#15 ·
I didn't have any tears left at the end. I got there around 10:15 and I am not ashamed to admit I cried the entire time. I couldn't stop. It was a peaceful and moving ceremony. He was deeply loved by his family and they in turn were a bit taken aback by how many friends he had. His cousin, who was leading the ceremony, joked that he had more friends then she did and she had been in this country all her life. And his other cousin (who felt Ashwin knew him better than his own brothers) told a funny little story about how Ashwin was charged with bringing a suprise present to the cousin's brother's birthday party - a motorcycle. Ashwin rode up and everyone pretty much ignored the bike because they were so excited to see Ashwin (including the cousin's brother). The cousin chuckled and said he hated him for that.
 
#40 ·
jrock said:
I didn't have any tears left at the end. I got there around 10:15 and I am not ashamed to admit I cried the entire time. I couldn't stop. It was a peaceful and moving ceremony.
Click to expand...
Yeah exactly Justin. I cried like that throughout the weekend too and sometimes tried not to log in to the forum because I didn't want to think about it anymore. The ceremony was really nice. It was a little rough to take in, but the opportunity to go up to Ash and see him one more time, made me feel like a bunch of weight was taken off my shoulders and I felt so much better. I just touched him one last time and told him that I loved him. I didn't cry anymore after that.
 
#16 ·
Ashwin's parents are amazing. His father wants us to know that he is watching over us. My hope is that he is now riding on perfect roads, on a perfect bike.
When I saw the picture of him I said to Dave that face said, yep it's old, and yep it's fast. That smile was what everyone will remember of Ashwin forever. His father told Dave and I that Ashwin gave him a reason to live. He is planning on creating something about his life. Maybe something written, maybe a song. He is going to share it with us here when he does. I for one feel better after saying goodbye today.
 
#18 ·
Piercedqt78 said:
I for one feel better after saying goodbye today.
Click to expand...
I second that emotion. I'm so unhappy that he's not here with us. But if I didn't have a chance to say goodbye, it would be much harder.
 
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#21 ·
Today's ceremony was very, very moving and very emotional for everyone. I've tried to explain the "family" that is motorcycling to people many times but it is difficult to put into words...today was a perfect example of that. Not just for our own wonderful "local" family, but that extended group across the nation. I think it was mentioned earlier that a fella from the YZF board flew in from California to speak at the ceremony. Chuck, words cannot say how moving your speech was, well done, we know how difficult it was for you.

I am sure that the outpouring of heartfelt and sincere support provided some real comfort to Ash's family.....you all are the best, it's truly amazing how close knit a group this can be.

Godspeed Ashwin.
 
#22 ·
You can tell that Ashwins family was so appreciative all of his friends were there. It really reinforced how special he was. I along with most of us lost it once I entered the funeral home. It was like a huge rush of every motion all at once. But I must admit that after it was over I felt a certain amount of closure.
Jamie, you did a great job helping his parents deal with this hard time, you could see in both of his parents eyes that they were very happy to have their son have such a solid friend.

Under200
 
#24 ·
Today was very emotional, it was hard to NOT cry, think I cried the entire time as well.

The video was very hard to watch, and to see everyone else crying made it even harder. His parents just broke my heart :( I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through. But I'm glad they got to see how much of a "family" our community is. KUDOs to the people from the other boards and they guy that came from California.

And you're right I don't think people understand or comprehend that we are a "family" it is very hard to explain to most people.

Thanks Josh, Brandon and Marc for leading the groups...it was hard at times to see everyone riding knowing where we were going but thanks everyone for coming.

Thanks Mandy for collecting the $$ and making the ribbon, thanks Josh for the ribbon as well. I'm still astounded by the amount of $$$ that was donated :bow:

Chuck...even before you started talking I was crying, you had a lot of courage to get up there, and thanks for getting up there. I'm sure what you said meant a lot to everyone!

Godspeed
 
#25 ·
Hey all. This is Kevin, from the yzf600r board. Thank you for everything you did today and thank you all for allowing me into your family. It was very hard for me to speak to a room full of people I have never met, but I needed you and his family to know how much of an impact he had on my life.

We have a very large and tight group of riders in Sacramento and it was awesome to see how riders across the nation are connected. When I heard the squeaking of all motorcycle boots walk in.... Wow. I can't describe the feeling. CLSB is a great group from what I saw today, and with your permission, I would like to continue posting on here and building a relationship w everyone.

Thanks

-Kevin
Sacramento, CA
 
#26 ·
Welcome to the family Kevin... your words were definitely touching... We all felt the same sadness and comfort in having each other there for one purpose, to honor Ashwin's memory.
:bow
 
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#27 ·
Thanks for speaking Kevin. We all appreciated your words, your thoughts and your emotions. Thanks for coming out, feel free to know that CLSB is your home in the midwest. We are proud to have you as one of us.
 
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#33 ·
Touching ceremony and I hope his family got a glimpse of how much a motorcycle family cares about each of its members.

Showing solidarity and compassion like we did today makes me proud to be a part of CLSB.

Godspeed Ashwin. May you ride endless apexes...
 
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