Our grandson, LT had been begging PapaBear for a ride on the bike ever since he was just a toddler. When he turned 6, we decided he was old enough for a ride around the block a few times.
They were visiting one day & LT came running inside. "Gramma, Gramma! Papa is taking me for a ride!!!" I turn around, & there is grandson with one of my riding jackets, a helmet that is too big & my goggles kinda' hanging off his ears & perched on his nose. He had geared himself up. I helped him tighten the helmet strap, re-adjusted the goggles for a better fit & zipped up the jacket. This boy was so incredibly excited & very anxious to get on the rode, I actually feel the same way if I haven't been on the bike for a few days, kinda' start jonesing for it.
We met Papa out in the driveway. After strict instructions to stay away from the pipes, hold on tight & don't wiggle around, I helped LT up to sit in front of Papa. He grabbed a hold of the gas tank lid & turned to smile at me with the biggest smile I have ever seen on his face. & Off they went. I took a picture & sent it into a bike magazine we really like & they actually published it.
Granddaughter & I sat to wait for them on the park bench I have in my front garden. We could hear that Harley as it went through the neighborhood, they rode every street in the area. Then I realized, I couldn't hear them anymore. WTF? They were just suppose to stay close by, just the side streets. 20 minutes later, they pull up, grandson was grinning ear to ear. "Did you see me? Did you see me, Gramma?" I asked PapBear where did they go? "Oh, ya' know, gas & smokes"
Grandson now has his own proper sized helmet. He asked me to make a vest for him just like Papas. He picked out the patches himself at the local leather shop. & Wears it with pride. We found him fingerless gloves, just his size & he still wears my goggles.
I can't wait for the day that he can ride his own bike. It is in his blood, both his Papas & a few uncles all ride.
Not to mention ~ his beautiful Gramma rides, too. That is so damn cute! Thanks, DB, for my Awwwwwwww Moment of the Week!
ReplyDeleteExcellent stuff, d_b! How old's the granddaughter? Does she have that same down-to-the-bones desire to ride? I hope so as it's great stuff. Thanks for a great story. :-)
ReplyDeleteGranddaughter is 3. She likes sitting on the bike when it isn't on. As soon as Papa
ReplyDeleteturns it on, she covers her ears & backs away from it. She does recognize the sound, everytime she hears a Harley, she thinks it is Papa. Maybe some day she will get over the noise & want a ride.
I realize, I had grandsons age wrong, when he turned 5 is when he went for his first ride.