Ellie had a friend over yesterday. They came up to me excitedly and asked if they could go on a bike ride! "Without me?" I was in the middle of preparing dinner. I asked whether her friend had a bike with her...she didn't! Whew! Problem solved!
Ellie continued..."she could ride Kate's."
I suggested she ask Kate.
Kate said yes...darn!
My request- be back in 30 minutes!
(dinner was almost ready)
They were off...
in the streets...
helmets on their heads...
with independence as their guide!
They left so fast I could hardly process that my daughter would be on the streets...
on a bike...
without me looking over her!
She rode her bike once or twice to a friend's home...
but ride for the sake of riding...
with no destination in mind...
I was nervous!
The windows were open through out the house. Several minutes had passed and I heard a faint cry out, from what sounded like a girl's voice, and I went straight outside...I looked down the street...I saw nothing.
Would she remember that I said that she should be back in 30 minutes?
Did she wear a watch?
Is she safe??
That is when I remembered, just like it was yesterday-
We lived on the corner, in our first home. Ellie was a brand new baby. I was standing in our bedroom with Ellie in my arms. There were windows facing each side of the corner. As I looked out I saw a girl speed by and go around the corner on her bike...a smile on her face...red hair braided on each side...independence & joy emanated from her all the way into my quiet house. I looked down at my first baby and wondered---
When could I ever let you go...
all by yourself...
around the corner...
on your bike????
Now I know.
It was today.
As Ellie re-entered the kitchen after her short bike ride...
smiling from ear to ear...
"30 minutes exactly!" she exclaimed!
I guess we both accomplished a milestone today... <3
2 comments:
I loved this post. It took me back to my girls and their first bike rides. Don't blink because then it becomes their first time driving a car on their own. :)
This made me cry a little. I feel like the apron strings are breaking so rapidly with my oldest. Time is flying. And in regards to your latest post, I recently listene to that TAL story about non-cognitive skills too. It was reassuring to me, knowing that love and care can take a child so very far. Certainly an interesting story!
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