By: Sandy Bowersox
I was asked by Michelle to contribute to this magazine. I don’t relish talking about myself. It feels a bit like tooting my own horn. But she said that’s what Focus on Fabulous is all about – taking the time to tell our story and perhaps inspire others. So, if there is something about my life that could inspire or help someone to get out of their comfort zone, then I will tell you my story.
In my fifties, I attended training for disaster relief. Part of that training was for NOVA, National Organization for Victim Assistance. I was so intrigued that I continued my NOVA training and got certified. Then, following the NOVA training, I became certified in CISM, Critical Incident Stress Management. During that time, God called me to be a law enforcement chaplain.
After about six years, I felt that I would be a more effective LEO (law enforcement officers) chaplain if I knew what it meant to put on a uniform and a badge and actually be and LEO. Well, obviously, I was too old to apply to the academy, so because of some retired officers who were constables and attended FOP, Fraternal Order of Police meetings, I discovered how to apply to be a constable. In some states, constables are elected. In South Carolina, they are appointed. I applied to SLED and was accepted. I attended a week long training at the academy, which included learning the law and qualifying with our weapons on the range. We were required to qualify each year with the regular officers. I was the only female in the class and in our group. There are a few more female constables now because they have retired from regular law enforcement.
Constables are a totally volunteer law enforcement department. We were on the same level as a reserve officer. We volunteered with different agencies, and we did what the officers we were working with did. It was a very satisfying position. Many of the LEOs were amazed that we would come and do what they did every day, and we did it for free and volunteered. Some of them had high regard for us.
I did learn to be a better chaplain to them and in general because of that experience. One of the things I learned while training was to be an active listener. Paramount in my training was confidentiality. To this day, that is still very important to me. I do not share anything with anyone without their permission. I also realized that not everyone can do that, much to my chagrin.
Because of all my training to this point, I was asked to be CERT trainer, Community Emergency Response Team. I was approved to attend the trainers class after taking the CERT training class. So I teach the Trauma of Disaster when invited to teach.
In my early sixties, God called me again. Only this time, it was something that I had never had any interest or skill in. He clearly called me to be His light in the world of bikers. My first thought was that God had clearly made a mistake or I was having some sort of breakdown or mental crisis. I first told God no. That was just too bizarre for me to even consider. Then I checked myself and said, “It’s probably not a good idea to tell God no.”
I called another friend I trusted, as he had been a biker for many years, was a retired LEO, and a faithful Christian. He said that was not bizarre and was very excited for me. He sent me two books: one was “God on a Harley,” and the other one was “Heaven in High Gear.” I said, “Okay, God, if this is really You and not Satan trying to kill me, I will need some things from you. First, I have no money, I have no motorcycle, no way to get the money, and I have no idea how to ride (or the desire, to be perfectly frank). Also, if it isn’t too much to ask, could you please give me a sign that I know came only from You?”
Well, what do you know? He did all that. I took the motorcycle safety class because I had no idea how to ride a bike and had to overcome some negative stereotypes to embrace this mission. The instructor said that because of my age I would not catch on as quickly as the younger ones in the class. I told him that was fine—I just needed to learn to ride. My husband and I took the class together. There is a saying in the biker community: “It’s not if you will wreck but when.” Well, I got mine out of the way early. Yes, I wrecked in the class. It was a nasty crash. I broke my right wrist and banged up some other parts as well. Because I didn’t want both of us to wash out of the class, I drove myself to the ER. It was not an easy task to convince him to stay, but he did. I came back to the class with my arm in a cast and took the written exam. I made 96 on it. Not too shabby. After the cast came off, I virtually had to learn to ride again. But I did. It has been a very rewarding. As I became a more skilled rider, God called me again! This time, he called me to start a BACA chapter in the Tri-County area. BACA stands for Bikers Against Child Abuse. That also has been a very rewarding endeavor. I now have a family anywhere I go where there are other bikers.
I guess as I review the things God has called me to do, it appears each one prepared me for the next step. I have strayed so very far out of my comfort zone that I no longer have one. If I begin to get too comfortable where I am, I assume another call is coming. I would highly encourage everyone to not hang out in your comfort zone. I will be 70 on my next birthday. I am still going strong. My grandkids think I’m exciting. My friends are often amazed. One of my children is very supportive—the other two, not so much. Almost forgot, now I have three tats and two more picked out. The tattoo artist was amazed that I was just now getting ink. I love it!
Sandy will be celebrating her 70th birthday in may 2017. She hails from Texas, having grown up in Houston. She studied at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. She has lived in the Charleston SC area for 25+ years, and is married to her husband for 50 years, is the mother of 3 delightful, interesting children and has been blessed with 7 grandchildren (soon to be 9). Sandy was the only female rider in the lowcountry BACA group. If you wish to contact her, please email her at sandybowersox@gmail.com