The Bicycle's Lesson
I was a twelve year old American male suffering the cruel and unusual experience of not having a bicycle. How could I develop normally? Everyone had a bicycle but me. Life doesn’t have to be fair but it should be fair to me!
On the spectrum from poor to wealthy we camped on the left end. I felt guilty about asking for a bicycle but I faced that emotional trial head on and begged and pleaded without hope of success. The day a brand new, shining bicycle appeared I was amazed, excited and had a renewed faith in the fairness of life.
One week later – honest, just one week – I was sitting admiring this mode of transportation, this admission ticket to the brotherhood of young adventurers
and explorers, when a strange mood settled on me. Thoughts began exploding inside my head.
“It’s just a bicycle. It’s metal and rubber and plastic and nothing more. It’s not the source of happiness that I expected. How did my father afford it? It must have cost as much as he brings home in a week. Why did he buy it? It’s not his nature to give in to begging. Does he love me this much?” As I sat there staring at the bicycle I began to think about my father and how grateful I was for him. Financially, I may have been raised on the poverty line but I have good memories and an eternal respect for my father.
In was in that moment that I realized what’s valuable in life. Things have no value. Never again have they held an attraction for me. Only family and friends and people have value.
On the spectrum from poor to wealthy we camped on the left end. I felt guilty about asking for a bicycle but I faced that emotional trial head on and begged and pleaded without hope of success. The day a brand new, shining bicycle appeared I was amazed, excited and had a renewed faith in the fairness of life.
One week later – honest, just one week – I was sitting admiring this mode of transportation, this admission ticket to the brotherhood of young adventurers
and explorers, when a strange mood settled on me. Thoughts began exploding inside my head.
“It’s just a bicycle. It’s metal and rubber and plastic and nothing more. It’s not the source of happiness that I expected. How did my father afford it? It must have cost as much as he brings home in a week. Why did he buy it? It’s not his nature to give in to begging. Does he love me this much?” As I sat there staring at the bicycle I began to think about my father and how grateful I was for him. Financially, I may have been raised on the poverty line but I have good memories and an eternal respect for my father.
In was in that moment that I realized what’s valuable in life. Things have no value. Never again have they held an attraction for me. Only family and friends and people have value.
posted by Paul at 8:11 AM
7 Comments:
On huge chunk of knowledge at a very tender age.
You bet, Buddy!
So very true, a life lesson that some seem to never learn. ec
"Only family and friends and people have value."
Very true, everything else is just rust waiting to happen ;)
Very true, but this past week, both of my sons had their bikes stolen (because they had cheap bike locks securing them), and now they must ride the bus to get to work. Within a month or two, they'll be able to save up for another - obviously their bikes were valuable to someone. Just a tangent, I know...
When I was that age my mother offered me some champagne, having explained just how much it cost. I was so upset I could not drink it!
I'm sure the look on your face when your dad gave you the bike more than made up for the cost in his eyes... love is sweet that way...
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