I had every intention of reading this at his celebration, but three words in I was a mess. A call to a really good friend Carl Owens (Christian Motorcycle Riders Group) was all it took for him to come to my rescue and for that I'll forever be in his debt.
From his dad / “the
old man”
Nicholas Richard
Oswald - what’s in a name and who was this son of ours? Nic was born on October 29,
1985 in Wichita Kansas. He was the third child, and an oops baby.
But what an oops baby
he was! Always full of life......bicycles were not just bicycles to him - they were
jumping machines, ride on the back wheel, front wheel, spinning machines. He was Evil
Knievel on them. Give him roller blades and skateboards and he was his own
personal X-Game.
He was the gleam in
his PaPa’s eyes, living on every word that PaPa Dick uttered.
Learning all about
working on cars, working with wood, building and fixing were the things that memories
were made of for those two. Car shows in Wichita, Oklahoma City
and Tulsa were the
norm for both of them. Nic even chased Carrie Underwood and caught her a couple of
times! His Cousin Josh said numerous times that was when she was just Carrie
Underwood and not THE CARRIE UNDERWOOD.
We moved back to
Wichita from Topeka in 2001 and had our moments - like all dads and their sons. We
fought, loved, liked, disliked, complained and found that we really were not that
different. It’s amazing what happens at a time like this, you can’t really remember any of the so
called bad times...and maybe that’s God’s way of making sure
that every memory we
have is a loving one.
Four years ago Nic
became the father of HarleyJane - I still remember sitting at the Vagabond right before
the Toy Run in 2008 and someone walking up to me saying, “Congratulations Ozzy!
I hear you’re going to have a granddaughter.” To which I
responded, “...um, no.
Not that I’m aware of.” ‘Oh, must be someone else then.” I heard it two more
times that day and called Vic to see if someone in the family was pregnant and I hadn’t
heard.
Two weeks later, the
night before Thanksgiving, Nic called and asked if he could come over early on Turkey
day. I said, “Sure come on over. Anything in particular?” “No, I just need to talk to
you for a bit.......” The next morning Nic and Ciera show up, I’m in my usual King Throne at
the Ponderosa and they’re sitting on the other end of the room -
“Dad, you remember
after I sold my bike I told you I’d have another Harley? Well I’m getting one in April”.
“So that’s my granddaughter's name, aye?” It was like a rush of relief washed over
him.
HarleyJane became his
world, his love and his life. Through her he will continue to be here.
His sisters Reniece
and Adrianne had their moments as well with him and it was never a dull time in the
Oswald house - games, fights, smoking behind the bushes in the backyard, telling him
he was born a girl, teasing, telling on each other and the screams
of “Mom!!” were just
normal days.
I’ve heard some
amazing stories about Nic the past week. How he would stop on the road to help someone
that had a flat tire or needed gas, giving a stranger the only $2 he had so they could get
a bottle of water, mowing someone’s grass who needed a hand
and on and on...
Our best times were
when he had a bike - starting out on a Sportster, then another Sportster, to the high
powered custom FLH and finally his “green machine” that we bought from Scott
Shirkey. He loved that bike and we had some amazing rides - poker
runs, trips, bike
nights, making new friends, meeting up with old friends, Cassoday, Beaumont, Cottonwood
Falls, the motorcycle museum, Topeka and riding so fast that our angels were in
overdrive just to keep up. He had his own unique way of riding -
right foot twisted to
the side on the forward control, a handkerchief always tied on his belt loop, the trucker
cap flipped backwards, baggy-legged jeans with his chucks, a tshirt and those mirrored, highway patrolman glasses
were his signature trademark --
and he never even
tried for a look. It just was his.
The picture that is on
my Facebook cover is the one and only time that he ever showed up at a ride before
me. And it is a perfect way to think about him now. It screams out to me, “Hey old man, I’ll
be sitting here waiting on you for that next ride.”
The last time we were
together was on Mothers Day. I came in town and stayed a couple of extra days.
We met at Morts, we toasted each other a couple of times, and then met the girls for
dinner afterwards. It was one of the best days of my life. The four of us together, no
outsiders, no other family, just me and my kids. Three of my favorite
pictures were taken
that night as well. Nic alone, Nic and I after we toasted and the four of us together. Can
you spend too much time with your kids? Can you tell them you love them enough? Can
you ever love them enough? I don’t think so! Can you wish
you had told them,
shown them, held them, kissed them enough? Absolutely!
For the brief time
that Nic was with us he was the sparkle in my eye. I was proud of him for being the dad that
he was, the man that he was. And through all of the good times, the bad times, the ups
and downs, he was my son and I couldn’t have been more proud
of him.
I have a journal-type
book that I would love for you to share a thought about Nic - take a minute and write
down something that stood out about him. This last week has been a blur and I know that
I won’t remember what some of you have said, or the stories that
I’ve been told about
him. If you could share something it will last forever in my heart on those days that are
just one foot in front of the other or those days that I need to just breathe.
My dream is that each
of you go home from here and tonight call your kids, your parents, or that one special
friend...tell them you love them, make up with them, hug them if they are
close...because you never know what may happen tomorrow.
-----------
Victoria / Nic’s
mother
When Nic was born he
grabbed a piece of my heart. My baby boy!
He grew into a wonderful
caring loving young man. He was a “never met a stranger” type of guy, and was
always there to help anyone.
People may of thought
that I gave too much and took care of Nic, I did. However, what he gave back to me
cannot be put into words.
When Nic left this
world I gave him another piece of my heart. You will always be my baby. Love you, Mom
PS, how do you like my
new tat?
-------
Reniece / the oldest
sister
Nic, I don’t know if
it will ever sink in that you are really gone. At family gatherings I am always going to expect my
doorbell to ring 30 minutes before everyone gets there,
because you were
always early. Everyone will just have to get used to cold food because I am sure I
will still be rushing Marc to hurry and get stuff ready early.
I will always have my
own little reminder of you in my garage. You put that silly pink flower on the ceiling
that no one could reach down. The only way it got up there is because you were so
stinkin tall...it will always be my “Nic”.
I love you baby
brother, until I see you again.
---------
Adiranne / the younger
sister
Nic, I used to joke
that we were twins born 3 years apart, but it was true. You’d never meet two siblings more
alike than us.
He was the one I could
be completely goofy with and wouldn’t judge me. We’d joke, make fun, laugh at
each others stupid jokes and quirks so hard we’d have tears in our eyes.
I’m going to miss him
stopping by daily just to bum a cigarette, but he’d end up staying for hours talking,
playing with my boys, or just being there with us. He loved being with all the kiddos,
building new lego forts, jumping on the trampoline, giving Austin tattoos
that looked like his.
He was the best Uncle to all the boys.
The last Saturday we
spent together was one of the best. Washing cars, dancing silly and singing loud. I’m
going to hold that memory along with the million others I have and of course you, baby
brother, in my heart forever. I’ll see you again someday. But until then.......watch over
us all - Love you Nic.
----------
Marc / The brother-in-law
married to Reniece
Nic, I walked into my
garage this morning and saw that damned plastic flower you stuck on the ceiling. I
thought it was incredibly fitting that it’s still there because no one else is tall enough to get
it down. It will stay there along with so many things in our lives as a
reminder of you and
your awesome quirkiness.
I never took the time
to tell you how thankful I am for how incredible an Uncle you were to my own kids. it
always amazed me how patient and fun you were with not only your own daughter, but with
all of our kids. I want you to know that I aspire to have my boys look at me the way
HarleyJane looks at you.
I love you brother,
and I’m serious when I say save me a seat close to the man in black. Until then - God Speed
buddy
PS - I promise that
between me, James and the five boys, HarleyJane won’t date until she is at least 35.
------
James / the
brother-in-law married to Adrianne
What I remember most
is how jealous I would get when he was around, because when he was around I didn’t
exist. My two boys loved him more than I can describe.
He was the best lego
builder with Aidan and the best bad guy playing cops and robbers with Austin. There
will never be a better uncle to my boys or a better father than I have witnessed him being to
HarleyJane. He would put the kids first and everything else
second!
And for that you will
truly be missed.
----------
Aidan, 8, Nic’s oldest
nephew said - “You built cool lego forts, your favorite Star Wars character was Darth
Vader. I love you.”
Jaxon, 8, Nic’s next
oldest nephew said - “you were an awesome Uncle, we love you.”
Maddox, 5, Nic’s
nephew and Jaxon’s younger brother said - “Thank you for spinning us around on the
trampoline, I love you.”
Austin, 4, his
youngest nephew and Aidan’s brother said - “He was the best uncle to me and best brother to my
mom, and he had an awesome backyard and dog! I love you
Uncle Nic.”
=====
Ciera Herman /
HarleyJane’s Mother
Nic was an incredible
guy! He was so outgoing and knew how to lighten the mood and make everyone laugh.
He was such a goofball. He was handsome and mysterious.
He lived his life the
way he wanted to - no questions asked. When you saw him ride a Harley you could tell
he was free with a passion that would never fade.
Everything about his
personality and looks drew you in and you needed to know more about him. The most
amazing thing was his love; his love for his family was so strong.
When he loved someone
he loved them with everything he had.
I remember the day
that our daughter was born. I never saw Nic cry tears of joy until that day. It made
everyone smile and you could tell Nic’s love for his baby girl was unconditional. I will
always remember his hugs, his smile and his love............love for life, love for his
family and love for his mini-me, HarleyJane.
---------
Sarah Guy - the girl
in his life and his penguin.
Sarah is
going to come up and read a letter from Nic
---------
And from his world,
his daughter and the true love of his life HarleyJane who is 4 years Old
“I miss my daddy
really much. I wish he was here to play with me. My daddy was really fun. He played with me
all the day..........he played legos with me and watched movies and jumped on the
trampoline. I love my daddy more than all the world. My daddy was
the
best daddy ever.”
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