ItB次元官网网址檚 been said that one should never underestimate the importance of having fun.
Certainly, thatB次元官网网址檚 a lesson that West Shore resident Kevin Gower learned years ago and a life philosophy that he follows every day.
You might not know Gower by name, but heB次元官网网址檚 certainly a character that scores of people would recognize by the fact that he rides a motorcycle with a rather unique passenger. Seated behind him is a full-size, smiling skeleton dressed in a tie-dye shirt, a wig, and a snazzy hat.
B次元官网网址淢y wife has a medical condition that prevents her from riding with me anymore, but she said that she didnB次元官网网址檛 want me giving rides to other girls, so Marilyn was born,B次元官网网址� said Gower. "She certainly gets some attention, and it makes people smile to see her back there, so itB次元官网网址檚 all just a lot of fun.B次元官网网址�
Spreading a fun spirit is a consistent theme in GowerB次元官网网址檚 life.
He works for BC Transit and a few years back he decided to spread a little cheer at Christmas.
B次元官网网址淎s a bus driver I get to see people at their best and at their worst, but I always try to help them out when I can and I just like putting a smile on peopleB次元官网网址檚 faces,B次元官网网址� he said.
Gower began by putting up a little B次元官网网址楥harlie Brown Christmas treeB次元官网网址� in his bus to help folks get into the spirit of Christmas and, with the blessing of BC Transit president and CEO Erinn Pinkerton, Gower has expanded the decorations on his bus to include lights, wreaths and even a Menorah.
B次元官网网址淚 come to work early every day to get the decorations up and stay after my shift to take them down. I canB次元官网网址檛 just leave them since I get a different bus every day. But I donB次元官网网址檛 mindB次元官网网址tB次元官网网址檚 worth it to see the smiles on peopleB次元官网网址檚 faces,B次元官网网址� Gower said.
Those smiles have inspired Gower to expand his whimsical decorations to include other special days. On St. PatrickB次元官网网址檚 Day he paints his beard green and hangs shamrocks in his bus, and for Chinese New Year he had a rabbit (to commemorate the Year of the Rabbit), Chinese lanterns and piped in Chinese music.
But one of GowerB次元官网网址檚 favourite holidays is right around the corner and heB次元官网网址檚 all set to celebrate.
B次元官网网址淎t my place we go all out for Halloween, so it only seemed right for me to spread that fun to my bus,B次元官网网址� Gower said. B次元官网网址淚 dress up as Beetlejuice and the kids love it. I have them getting on the bus and laughing and calling out B次元官网网址楤eetlejuice, Beetlejuice, BeetlejuiceB次元官网网址� and then breaking into laughter.B次元官网网址�
He also has a supply of candy for the kids as they board his bus and has discovered that some folks catch his bus just for the experience, even though they arenB次元官网网址檛 going his way.
GowerB次元官网网址檚 desire to spread some goodness into the world transcends his entertainment.
He has ridden in the Santa Claus Parade, the Gay Pride Parade, a variety of toy runs for charity and recently was part of the ride to support prostate cancer research.
B次元官网网址淲e raised more than $40,000 in that event. There were more than 200 bikes involved. It means a lot to me as I lost my dad to prostate cancer. ItB次元官网网址檚 a great cause.B次元官网网址�
Now, none of GowerB次元官网网址檚 actions are, in themselves, heroic B次元官网网址� and heB次元官网网址檇 be the first to scoff at the idea that heB次元官网网址檚 special.
But through his fun and whimsical attitude toward life, and through his actions to bring smiles to the faces of the people he meets, he is, in fact, a very special person.
Desmond Tutu once said that you must, B次元官网网址淒o your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.B次元官网网址�
Keep that in mind if you happen to get on a bus only to find that Beetlejuice is behind the wheel.
