Learning to Ride a Bike

learninghowtorideabikewithoutsmallwheelsonthebackisaverybigstepforanychildirememberthedaymydadtookmyoldbikeandusedaheavywrenchtotakethetrainingwheelsoffhetoldmethatiwasbigenoughnowtobalanceallbymyselfwewenttoaflatpavedroadnearthequietparkwheretherewerenofastcarsdrivingbyiworeahardbluehelmetonmyheadtokeepmesafeififelldownatfirstiwasveryscaredandmyhandsgrippedtherubberhandlessotightthatmyknucklesturnedwhitemydadheldontothebackofmyseatandtoldmetostartpushingthepedalswithmyfeetwemovedslowandthebikewobbledfromsidetosidemakingmefeeldizzyheranbehindmeholdingtheseatandtellingmetolookstraightaheadinsteadoflookingdownatthegroundsuddenlyirealizedthatiwasmovingmuchfasterandhisvoicesoundedfarawayiturnedmyheadquicklyandsawthathewasstandingfarbehindmesmilingandwavingiwasdoingitallbymyselfkeepingmybalanceasthewindrushedpastmyearsitwasthemostamazingfeelingofpurefreedomifeltlikeabirdflyinglowoverthestreetirodeallthewaytotheendoftheblockbeforeisqueezedthebrakesandputmyfeetflatonthegroundtostopiturnedaroundandrodeallthewaybacklaughingthewholetimefallingdownisjustpartoflearningbutthefunisworthafewsmallscrapesnowicanridemybikeanywhereiwanttogoandexploremyneighborhoodwithallmyfriendsonsunnyafternoons