2,153 miles or bust

Approximately 3 years ago my 19 year old daughter Melissa told me she was pregnant. Initially I was terrified. I raised my daughter on my own since she was 9 months old. I was scared that she, being a child herself still in my eyes, was unable to care for a child herself and I would be cornered into taking care of this new child.

She was born under emergency circumstances. 6 weeks early. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her little body 4 times and an emergency C section was preformed. She wasn't even 3 pounds and remained in the hospital for about another month until she reached proper weight.My daughter named her Athena. And with my insistence added "twist" to her middle name. Athena Ann Twist Gambini. Her fathers last name.

This little girl, who I was once so terrified of, now had my heart. With her I discovered a whole new dimension of LOVE. Unbelievable my love for this girl. I didn't see it coming.

At 9 months old, my daughter had some problems and I had to take custody of this little girl. I was 52 at the time. With a 9 month old. I have the love. I have the energy. I have the space. We were together for 14 months. Just her and I.( I also have 3 dogs and 3 cats. All rescues.) I own a nice little drafty beach house in SE Texas, so we were safe and secure and made ends meet. A toddler is all consuming, time, patience, diapers. :-)

This is my quest here, to get back to see her. She's in Richmond Oregon with mom and dad and her new little baby brother, Joe Jr. (He was born 12/15/14). They all moved out there last January, 2015. I'm reaching out to anyone reading this, willing to help, to pool $7500 together to purchase a used 1982 Harley Davidson Shovelhead, with very low miles and in perfect working order, to drive from here in Bacliff Texas to Richmond Oregon and back. I'm 54 years old. This motorcycle would be a very affordable way to travel and the trip itself, very memorable. At 54, I may not get another chance at something like this. The money raised will be used for purchase of motorcycle and cost of food and gas both ways. I expect to take a month off work. Have family watch the house and animals and make the long, 2,153 mile trek. Spend 10-14 days with my daughter and grandbabies and then head back.

If I am blessed with assistance I'm reaching out here for, I vow to volunteer 100+ hours into my community upon my return. With the elderly, youth. Environmental issues. The homeless. There never seems to be a shortage of folks out there needing a helping hand, as I do here today. My little heart is gone, far away. Please help me be reunited, even if only briefly.

God Bless