So, yesterday something happened at the Casa de Wiles that I honestly never thought I would see.
Let me give you a little bit of background:
2007-August 30-Elizabeth receives a bike (per her request) for her fifth birthday. She sits on the bike for approximately 3.7 seconds before announcing that we can give the bike to another little girl. Bike sits in green house until she outgrows it.
2009-August 30-Elizabeth once again (per her request) receives a bike for her birthday. This time, we walk the bike around the corner to a large parking lot for her to practice. We stay 1.7 minutes. We walk home, her in the back screaming at the top of her lungs, me in the front, doing my best to maintain my composure and not go YaYa on her. Bike sits in greenhouse next to other bike. We accept the fact that Elizabeth Wiles will not ride a bike.
Days and years go by. I try to accept the fact that my child will never know one of the greatest joys of my childhood, the feeling of the wind rushing on her face, the freedom of the open road. In 2010, Elizabeth discovers scooters. She rides 1,387,492 miles on her Hello Kitty scooter. Then, the scooter decides it is finished, so we buy Elizabeth another scooter. So far, I would estimate she has put 1,483 miles on it. I come to terms with Elizabeth riding a scooter. Her hair DOES flow in the wind. She CAN travel the open road (ok, from one end of the cove to the other).
This all changes a few weeks ago. Amy Hope decided to ride Elizabeth’s first bike. So, she does. She rides and rides and rides and rides and rides. Elizabeth still seems quite content with her scooter. This is fine. They circle Cardinal Cove together, over and over. They are happy.
Fast forward to Saturday night. Elizabeth brings me a permission form from school. There will be a bike safety course in April. I ask her if she wants to attend. Pardon my French, but all H-E-double hockey sticks breaks loose. She ends up in the fetal position in the corner, whimpering at the thought of getting near a bike. (ok, not really fetal, but you get my drift). Finally, she goes to her room. I go back to talk to her after she calms down a bit. I tell her my honest feelings. It’s so hard for me to think about her allowing fear to rule her life, and keep her from having fun.
A few minutes later, she comes out and says, “I think I need to learn how to ride that bike tomorrow.” That’s my girl. :)
So, Saturday night, I am praying like nobody’s business. Praying for confidence for her. Praying for strength and wisdom for me.
Come Sunday morning, she is still psyched about this. We go to church, and come home and eat lunch. She is raring to go. We decide to start in the back yard, so that if (when) she falls, it won’t hurt like it does in the road. I walk around the yard with her a few times. Then she takes off. We move to the road. She rides away. I read something the other day about the irony of teaching your child to leave you. I kept thinking about that. Bittersweet.
So, she has ridden several miles already. She would have ridden more, but the bike set is kinda at an odd angle, and it’s pretty painful on the hiney. We’re gonna let Daddy look at that tonight.
Elizabeth has done a LOT of awesome things, and I am amazed by her on a regular basis. But, I want to say this is her greatest achievement. This is one that took the most courage. The most flat-out determination. I get teary just thinking about it.
She’s pretty special, that kid.
