Galen Haynes

There was this guy, a tough biker dude with an incredible heart of gold. Yeah, it’s a stereotype, but some people pull it off, and he was one.

He had a way of bringing people together. Like the consummate host, he’d come up with something nice to say to anyone and everyone, but he did it with a biker’s kick-ass sensibility. It came across as warm and genuine. Especially since he’d let you know if you totally went off the deep end.

Kick-ass was probably his favorite phrase. It really fit him. Even with the gray of age creeping up on him, he rocked. He had a great sense of humor and an infectious joi de vivre.

You probably saw his comments on my Fiction Friday posts. He was one of the best hub owners I’ve ever seen. He commented on every one of the post of those who participated in the Fiction Friday blog hop. He always participated himself, and could be relied on to get the post up for the hop on time. His warmth spread to his participants and made the whole group wonderful.

He wasn’t one of the friends I keep in my pocket. We just weren’t that close, though I would have loved to be. But I don’t get into the Harley culture, trivia or TV. It didn’t leave a lot of connection. But I’ll always like him.

He had a massive heart attack and died last week. Though the warmth in my memories will remain, there will never again be a kick ass comment to look forward to.

There once was this guy…