Okay, I wrote I want to share the story of my son Harry Liry, a boy who go in
of my son Harry Liry, a boy who go in grew into a legend, earned his place in
grew into a legend, earned his place in the BMX Hall of Fame. From the time he
the BMX Hall of Fame. From the time he was 18 months old, Harry was drawn to
was 18 months old, Harry was drawn to wheels. Whether it was propelled wheel
wheels. Whether it was propelled wheel toys or his first bicycle, it was clear
toys or his first bicycle, it was clear that riding was in his blood. And from
that riding was in his blood. And from then on, Harry never stopped. He was
then on, Harry never stopped. He was always on the move, always riding, and
always on the move, always riding, and always dreaming. Our home became a hub
always dreaming. Our home became a hub of activity because of Harry. The
of activity because of Harry. The neighborhood kids would flock to build
neighborhood kids would flock to build to watch him perform his daring feats,
to watch him perform his daring feats, jumping over five kids lying in the
jumping over five kids lying in the street with the ramps he built himself.
street with the ramps he built himself. Pulling off wheelies, skinning down the
Pulling off wheelies, skinning down the sidewalk, or tinkering in his workshop
sidewalk, or tinkering in his workshop on the pursuit of perfecting his craft.
on the pursuit of perfecting his craft. From those early days to jumping off
From those early days to jumping off rooftops, fearless in his pursuit of
rooftops, fearless in his pursuit of perfecting his craft. From those early
perfecting his craft. From those early days, it was obvious that BMX wasn't
days, it was obvious that BMX wasn't just phase for Harry. It was his
just phase for Harry. It was his passion, his purpose in life. I remember
passion, his purpose in life. I remember the scratched up doorways from him
the scratched up doorways from him insisting his bike stay in his room,
insisting his bike stay in his room, never out of his sight. Then there was
never out of his sight. Then there was no helmets, no fancy gear, no patty,
no helmets, no fancy gear, no patty, just a boy with his bike [snorts] full
just a boy with his bike [snorts] full of dreams and a fire in his heart to be
of dreams and a fire in his heart to be the best.
the best. He raced with a determination that left
He raced with a determination that left no doubt about his drive. Even when he
no doubt about his drive. Even when he lost, he pushed himself harder, trained
lost, he pushed himself harder, trained longer, set his goals higher. Harry
longer, set his goals higher. Harry always wanted to be number one. And that
always wanted to be number one. And that determination led him to le leave a
determination led him to le leave a legacy that lives on, not just in the
legacy that lives on, not just in the BMX world, with the hearts of everyone
BMX world, with the hearts of everyone who knew him. As a mother, watching
who knew him. As a mother, watching Harry go into the man he became fills me
Harry go into the man he became fills me with immense pride. But I'd be lying if
with immense pride. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss the boy he was
I said I didn't miss the boy he was before BMX fully claimed him. the spark
before BMX fully claimed him. the spark in his eyes, his laughter, his smile,
in his eyes, his laughter, his smile, and the quiet moments when he was still
and the quiet moments when he was still just mine. [snorts] Now I trust that he
just mine. [snorts] Now I trust that he is at peace,
is at peace, riding in God's hands with the same love
riding in God's hands with the same love and passion he carried throughout his
and passion he carried throughout his life. I [snorts] miss my boy, but I know
life. I [snorts] miss my boy, but I know a legacy he left behind is one of
a legacy he left behind is one of courage, determination, and all these
courage, determination, and all these that will forever inspire anyone lucky
that will forever inspire anyone lucky enough to have known him.