Tuesday, September 11, 2012

around the corner



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:

Driving three Prince Girls said...

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. :)

Molly said...

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!