By Lisa Scottoline
Let me tell you the story of Motorcycle Mary.
Not to be confused with Mother Mary.
Both women were inspiring, but in different ways.
Motorcycle Mary was Mary McGee, who was the first woman in the United States to race a motorcycle.
She passed away recently at eighty-seven, and I learned about her from a short film co-produced by my favorite Formula One race driver, Lewis Hamilton.
Yes, I’m into Formula One.
Ever since I found the Netflix series Drive to Survive I became immediately addicted to Formula One, even at this late stage of my life.
At the time, I was Formula 68.
Also I got a crush on Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, Charles LeClerc, and the other drivers. Hot men in hot cars. What’s not to like?
Now I watch the races, read the books, buy the gear, and see film shorts about amazing women like Motorcycle Mary.
She’s also the first person to race a motorcycle alone, five hundred miles across the Baja desert, in 1975. She was denied recognition and awards because she was a woman, but she didn’t let that stop her. She loved racing, so she did it more and more, despite hardship and even sabotage. When she was asked why, she answered:
“I choose to participate in life.”
Wow!
I thought that was such a wonderful perspective, even for the holidays, when there are no motorcycles in sight.
I mean, we’re busy year round, then the holidays arrive and bring more and more tasks. We process this as stress, understandably, so the holidays can become negative. Buying gifts, finding the right size, and hoping the package comes on time become chores that keep us up at night.
Or is it just me?
But lately I’m thinking about Motorcycle Mary.
And I might be Motorcycle Lisa.
Or more my speed, Tricycle Lisa.
Because I’m coming to believe that adding things is simply participating in life.
Which is good.
In fact, doing more things is just participating more and more.
Maybe life is about participating.
And we all deserve a participation trophy.
Since when do they have such a bad name?
I never agreed with that.
A participation trophy means you came, you had fun, and you went home.
Why not?
The participation trophy that motorcycle Mary is talking about is a life fully-lived.
With more adventures.
More stories.
Just, more.
After all, what’s the alternative?
Doing less?
Having fewer experiences?
I don’t want to be on my deathbed and think, I wish my life hadn’t been so damn eventful.
Okay, maybe the holidays added a few too many tasks, but I’m learning to add tasks that I like and subtract ones I don’t. So for example, nothing needs to be perfect. It doesn’t matter if I don’t have the good Scotch tape or the cutest gift tag, plus I forgot the nutmeg.
That’s three trips to the stores eliminated, right there.
And who needs another trip to the store at this time of year?
Not Tricycle Lisa.
Those aren’t the things I’d add.
In fact, you know what I just added?
A puppy!
Yay!
Yes, I got a puppy at the craziest time of year to anything, especially the thing that totally disrupts all the other things.
The new me said yes!
As you may know, I already have brothers Boone and Kit, two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, but I need more participation!
Or is it pupticipation?
Anyway holiday addition is another adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and she’s already running the house from her ex-pen.
Her name is Eve, but I could have called her Motorcycle Mary or Mother Mary.
She’s the youngest in a long line of women who do too much.
But in a good way.
And I plan to enjoy life with her.
Happy Holidays!
Copyright © Lisa Scottoline 2024