Tuesday, April 17, 2012

She's off!


This weekend we had one of those small-thing moments that feel really big, or maybe it's the other way around. We pulled out the big, two-wheel bike for Sydney that I'd found for free outside the Colfax Grandma shop on one of my morning walks and Nick took her for a few laps around the car in the driveway in her pajamas to start the fun. Her face lit up in that proud state of glee that I love so much on her face. That moment alone was so grand after a week of scrapes and bruises, physical and emotional for our little girl.
.
We got up on Saturday morning and I thought we'd spend the day up at the pre-school parking lot practicing her skills. I figured this would take some time, some scrapes, some patience. She was outfitted in all of her scooter protective gear, ready for battle. So, I held onto the bike and gave Sydney some general tips: swing your leg over the back. get one peddle up in front to get going on and use your other foot to push off... I got her going once and her steering was all crazy, so I told her to look farther ahead. We did that one more time, with her looking up eager for her next instructions. The third time I got her going, let go and she had it.(This is a testament to the powers of a scoot bike, not so much her mad athletetic skills.) She was off in big circles of little girl happiness, her hair flying from under the helmet, her smile so big it almost didn't fit on her little face.
.
It's hard to describe the joy I felt then. She was riding in big lazy circles, adding in some singing and tricks and I felt her joy fill me up and overflow. I was actually blinking back tears as I watched her ride looking so free and happy, so filled up with pride that she could do something cool all on her own. Plus, the sun was out, birds were chirping...oh and Elias was whining behind me because I wouldn't push him on his bike.
.
That afternoon Sydney really wanted to show Nick her skills, but he was tired and rundown and I could tell he kind of wanted to curl up with the clicker and be done for the day. I kind of forced the issue and we all trekked up to the pre-school again. This time, instead of watching Sydney's face, I watched her daddy's. In an instant all the stress and exhaustion was gone and replaced by a huge smile; I suppose it was the same look I had on my face that morning. He kept saying, "This is amazing! Did you get pictures? Did you get a video?" Ah the markers, of a proud parent.
.
With the end of pre-school almost here and kindergarten just a few months off, this moment with the bike took on a little more meaning. It felt symbolic to let go of that bike seat and stand back, grinning with tears in our eyes to watch her tackle something big and new and succeed. It was one of those moments in childhood and parenthood that mark out territory, a before and after. I don't know if it's a real memory or not, but I remember the feeling of my dad letting go of my bike seat, the rush of independence and glee, and it's a beautiful thing to be on the other side of the seat, glowing, with that memory alongside me.
.
It's a wonderful thing to be a parent in moments like these and I'm officially looking forward to our early, long summer leading up to kindergarten. I am sure we will be found most mornings down on the path around the playfields if you ever want to find us. I'm really hoping that her glow doesn't fade as she gets used to the feeling of riding off on her own.

5 comments:

  1. Tiffany, what a beautiful moment!! Moments, actually!! Congrats to Sydney, what an accomplishment!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. truly, the best! way to go sydney!! i loved reading this reflection, tiffany, and kept thinking while reading that i would love to read a whole book of your motherhood/womanhood reflections, seriously. wish we lived closer to one another so our kids could enjoy their "big kid" bikes and glider bikes together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristen, thank you for your kind words. If I ever write a book, I'll send you a copy. :) Actually, I'll probably ask you to help edit it. I SO wish we lived closer so we could enjoy some of these times together! Perhaps we'll make another trip over this summer.

      Delete
  3. tiffany, this is once again, so beautiful. i love the description of "a smile so big it almost didn't fit on her little face." i know i'm not a mother, (oh, someday, i hope!) but i believe that your own heart filling up with her joy is just about the best description of what it's like to be a mother that i've heard in a long time. love you and miss you guys!

    ReplyDelete