Who Was GloRider A.K.A Mark Nealey
Thread started by
Joe Borfo at 04.10.08 - 9:55 am
(The following poem was written by Glo Rider's Mother for us.)
Who Was GloRider A.K.A Mark Nealey
The clues were always there but we didn't see them .
We used to laugh and say he knew how to walk between the rain drops , and it was true that he never seemed to get wet in a down pour when everyone around him would be soaked .
He didn't sleep much not that he was hyperactive .
He just found the world around him so interesting he didn't want to miss anything .
He had a peacefulness and a quality of innocence that made him completely non threatening , though he was a large and powerful man .
He wore glasses but they didn't hide the near sighted wonder in his eyes and when his gaze fell upon you it was loving and curious he wanted to know your story .
He knew that you had some unique quality and set out to find what it was .
On Sunday mornings he could be found at Neighborhood church in Pasadena with his wife and daughters .
On Sunday afternoon he could be found at the park where he drummed with a diverse group that included the homeless Viet Nam Vets and young Hispanic males seeking spiritualism in the sun and the sound of the drums , they were all his friends .
He could be seen riding his 3 wheeled Cat Trike with blue L.E.D lights on the streets of Burbank and Los Angeles as he rode to work or with the Midnight Ridazz where he would hand out glo sticks and take pictures of the wonderful and creative costumes of his companions .
On Tuesdays he could be found at Remos Warehouse where he drummed with a huge group that crossed all strata of society from people with Downs Syndrome to fashionable LA Socialites he knew them all .
The final chapter began on Dec 2nd when he fainted at the park during a drumming session .
He was taken to the hospital where a C.A.T Scan revealed a mass in his brain He was transferred to Neurological Institute Care , where he endured 4 brain surgeries .
During that time he made friends with nurses aids and doctors .
He never complained not even once . He talked to nurse Kathy about creativity and to Jaime a young Hispanic man about how to have a happy marriage .
He told Jaime to respect his wife above all others and to tell her everyday how much she meant to him because she loved him enough to marry him and she had his best interest in her heart , Jaime said thank you Mark I think I've been doing it wrong .
Mark came home in January and the long arduous battle included Radiation and Meds that took his strength until he was unable to even turn over in bed .
In all this he remained loving and gentle and when the time came he was at home surrounded by his family .
He returned to the source as gently and peacefully as he had lived .
Mark lived every day with joy and integrity , he was our teacher and our good companion .
It is only now that I see that he was also an angle that we entertained unaware .
I believe he was sent to teach us the power of love and the importance of living each day with joy and laughter .
I know the drums are sounding in heaven and there is a big blue lighted Cat Trike where he will always ride .
On the April ride don't be surprised if you catch a glimpse of blue lights out of the corner of your eye GloRider always knew where the fun was .
Ride on !!
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Just goes to show how we cheat each other out of the opportunity to cross paths with amazing souls.
How many of you/us go on rides and see the same people yet we've never made it a point to simply say "Hello"
Sometimes I go on rides and see people cross glances yet never reach ou.
I remember Glorider at the pirate ride on his bike and me staring at him without saying anything. He simply took it upon himself to say something to me which I cant remember!!Yet I do remember that we always spoke at rides after that.
So this Friday leave the cool attitude at home,come out and make it a point to meet a rida you always see around but never speak to.
Yes, its cheesy...but sometimes you do not get a second chance.
deesimple04.10.08 - 8:42 pm
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