Neil, you inspired me—homage to the legendary Rush drummer and lyricist.

On Friday afternoon January 9, 2020, I glanced at my phone to read a text sent by Bryan a few minutes prior. I suddenly felt lightheaded, my limbs weak, and my mind in anguish. Legendary Rush drummer Neil Peart passed away.
In the next few minutes, my phone blew up with text after text. Did I see “the news.” I wandered my cottage, walking in circles. I called Bryan, and my brother Jonathan. Even my friend Rob, in the hospital and chained to a bed and dialysis machine recovering from a liver transplant, found the energy to text me about Neil.

Lost for words, I took two days listening to the music, paging through the books, and quietly contemplating my feelings. To join the mourners with words of praise and sadness of the passing of perhaps “the best drummer of all time is expected and rightful. But “The Professor,” as Neil was known, meant much more to me.

His book, “Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road,” changed my life. It provided me the inspiration and the idea to travel the world alone on my motorcycle. Though I never met him in person, I am happy that friends shared with him my story and how he inspired me. They also delivered to him a personalized signed copy of my book “FORKS.” It kills me; we never sat down and talked.