When my son rode a bike for the first time I wasn’t there… I didn’t see… I had to wait for a photo…which is wonderful. And if you think that statement makes me a bad mother, think again. It is not so very long ago that Nick was dependant on my presence for pretty much everything. That he is not anymore and can go off and do things on his own, or with others, without my attendance or even knowledge, is… as far as I am concerned… about as good as it gets.
As a child, riding a bike for the first time is both scary and exciting, but there is a trust in the adult inevitably holding the seat and running behind… you believe they will keep you safe if you stay close and you don’t even notice when they let go. Once you’ve got the hang of this two wheeled freedom, however, the same adult is usually chasing you to come in for dinner… the speed and ability to cover ground on your own is something you relish.
The odd thing, from a personal parental perspective, is that I worried less about my sons when they were out on these potentially dangerous contraptions than when they were simply playing. And even when they came home full of the holes and scrapes of inevitable accidents, there was always a vague sense that these were almost a badge of honour for their independence. Both they, and I, had been able to let go of the apron strings. Not an easy task for any parent, programmed to protect, nor for the child who steps out into the unknown alone, yet we know it is a necessary part of growing up and whether it is a bike, a first date, or some other occasion, there is always that moment when both parent and child have to take a leap of faith and trust.
So yesterday, my son rode a bike. He is not a child, but a grown man with too much hair and a strange sense of humour… like the large ‘L’plate on his T shirt. Like most first attempts, it didn’t go as well as he had hoped. But then, for him to attempt it at all, for him to be able to do so, is pretty damned awesome considering he was left for dead with a prognosis, should he survive at all, of being in a state of permanent dependency and with his ability to balance, even sitting, at zero.
I can’t imagine the courage that took, not just on a physical level, but with all the things going through his mind… all the what ifs and the image consciousness he will have had to deal with before going out to a public place to see if he could succeed or would fail. Yet once again he succeeded in letting go of what could have held him back… and just doing it.
Then afterwards, instead of dwelling and agonising over the negatives… which would have been perfectly understandable after building himself up to this endeavour… he went home and drew the positives from the experience and found a way to make them work for him… and a bike that he can ride.
Sometimes those leaps of faith we have to take, as parents, children or simply as individuals, can seem to be the scariest thing in the world. Each leap leads us to a new landscape, a new level of possibilities that can unfold before us. But what leads up to the leap, how we find the courage to ‘jump ‘… to leave safe familiarity behind … that is when we grow. It is not about if we succeed or fail in an endeavour, but whether we have found the depth within ourselves to try and it is only when we leap that we may find we always had wings.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Good grief! I can’t believe that gosling survived! ‘Tis sometimes hard letting our kidlets go solo am always surprised what they achieve. Well done your son ! 👏👏👏👏
LikeLike
I still can’t watch that video without cringing… but it is such a great example of how that leap of faith may appear to be full of impossible knocks.. yet, as in this case, lead to new pastures where the grass is green.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can hear the pride in your voice, Sue. It’s wonderful he can now do that.
LikeLike
He didn’t manage as well as he hoped, Richard… but it opened doors 🙂
LikeLike
That’s the main thing 🙂
LikeLike
Well some of the things he has in mind, all I can say is… watch this space 🙂
LikeLike
😄
LikeLike
Can I say I am so dam proud of him? He looks amazing!! ❤
LikeLike
Cao, you can say just whatever you like 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an inspirational post – both about your son getting ready to ride a bike again and about that gosling’s leap off the cliff!
When my son learned to ride a bike I was determined we’d go off on family cycle rides. I was so petrified the first time we went out together I’d shout at him to stop when a car was approaching – on the other side of the road! He and his dad became so frustrated I wasn’t allowed to go again. I just had to let him go and not think about it. Then – he passed his driving test! But, like the parent geese we have to let them do these things to gain their independence.
LikeLike
Yes, we do. And with one son a biker, and this one with the passion he had for fast cars before the attack when he was able to drive, I must have stocked up with enough adrenaline for a lifetime just watching them go out the door 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Totally inspirational!! Every new task a milestone and a victory. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes, it is best not to listen to doctors.
LikeLike
Doctors do their best, but individuals can go beyond expectations… and do 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations doesn’t begin to cover it, but you must be so happy/scared/proud/worried. Parenthood is the ultimate roller coaster.
LikeLike
and it gets no easier as they get older, does it? 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations to both you and your son on this milestone! The best leaps of all are leaps of faith!
LikeLike
All credit goes to him 🙂 I had nothing to do with it…
And yes, they are 🙂
LikeLike
Wow, I have a lump in my throat. I admire his determination and you must feel so proud of him. He is quite remarkable. That ‘stubborn’ gene you gave him came in handy. 😉
LikeLike
Oh, he won’t give me credit for that 😉
LikeLike
😀 of course not!
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just went back to read about what happened and what you have all been through. Bravo to your son.
LikeLike
Thank you.. if determination counts for anything, he deserves to succeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your son is definitely #be WoW! How courageous and determined he is. And I love the teeshirt. He always looks so serious in your pics, but underneath he must have a wicked sense of humour to do that. Moms are always proud of their sons,,but I hope he’s proud of himself too.
LikeLike
Serious? Nick??? Very seldom… 🙂 He and his brother have the most random sense of humour… and this is the guy who wears a knitted ‘Angry Birds’ hat all winter…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! That sounds like humour to me! Even my boys wouldnt do that anymore 😀
LikeLike
“Mum!!! Even I’m not that random…” No idea where they get it from at all… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Oh this is so very wonderful. Bravo and best wishes to your son and his wicked humor. And heartfelt hugs to you. I think both of you have been amazing and brave through all of this.
LikeLike
Thank you , Sakura-san. It seems quite appropriate for him to take this new stride forward whenthe cherries are in blossom.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
LikeLike
” It is not about if we succeed or fail in an endeavour, but whether we have found the depth within ourselves to try” Beautifully, poignantly said, Sue. Congratulations to Nick for getting out there. I’ve been in leap mode lately. I can really relate. It gets gnarly. But once you let go and realize, once again, you’re not falling but flying, even if, especially when, it’s all imperfect, that’s freedom, that’s joy, that’s being alive. 🙂
LikeLike
Nick would absolutely agree with you, Eilis.
LikeLike
Congratulations on your son’s first try. That was a big step and took courage. I’m sure he’ll continue to do better with practive.He’s a trooper. He’s now proven he can do it. I can hardly believe that goslings successful jump. 🙂
LikeLike
Neither can I… but it says an awful lot about what is possible. 🙂
LikeLike