June 14, 2016

Like Riding a Bike


For years I've been dreaming about a new bicycle, specifically a dutch style cruiser, with multiple gears, hand brakes and rear rack, in the most delicious shade of blue or green complete with basket and bell. I pictured myself riding through the Village, wearing a floral skirt, hair in a braid, looking jaunty and chic, stopping to buy flowers, wine, bread and cheese, waving to my neighbors while winding my way through the streets. Obviously I put a lot of thought into this dream.


My bicycle obsession can be traced back to my childhood. When I was in 4th grade I found myself in desperate need of a new bike. My parents, having just been through one of the hardest periods of their lives and needing to feed and clothe a family of 4, couldn't afford such frivolous items. Instead they found an old secondhand bike for me. And when I say old, I don't mean a couple of years old, I mean a couple of decades old. While I was thrilled to have wheels, and the freedom that came with them, I was horrified at this antique hunk of steel that I was forced to ride while all of my friends had shiny new bikes or if not new, at least they had been manufactured sometime after their birth. This being a time before I had come to appreciate the value of vintage, that bike felt like a burden. I'm not sure if I ever complained to my parents about that bike. I hope not. I hope I had the good sense to realize that they had done the best they could. I hope I didn't make them feel bad for something they couldn't help. My first bike, was a lesson in independence, humility and embarrassment and while I dreamed of having different and better I certainly never felt entitled to have different or better. Honestly, I was thankful to have anything at all.


I am positive that experience, one of many similar experiences, improved my character and I'm sure that it is at least partially responsible for my current ability to be patient and wait for what I want and to be deep down to my core, grateful when I do get it. So imagine my joy, after all of these years, at the tender age of 45, finding myself the proud owner of the beautiful minty dutch bicycle of my dreams, gifted to me for Mother's Day by the man who is in the business of making my dreams come true. I have discovered that hopping on her and heading over to a friends house for the afternoon feels almost identical to the way it did when I was child, only now I'm much more unsure and wobbly and the embarrassment has been replaced with glee!

18 comments:

  1. That is the dreamiest bicycle I have ever seen! I'm pretty sure it requires flowers in the basket at ALL times. Or scones. And I love how you described your sweet husband…and so happy for you to have this dream come true!

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  2. What a darling bike,(I love the color!) and an even more darling husband. You are blessed. Isn't it funny how sometimes looking back at the hard things we endured as kids, we can see how they made us stronger? At least that is how it has been for me. Enjoy your dream come true. And the bike.

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  3. Beautiful. Both the bike and the words.
    Brenda

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  4. What a gorgeous bike! Loved the story, too. I think sometimes when you grow up without certain things, it makes you all the more appreciative of material objects when you're older. I hope indeed you are wearing a skirt and a braid in your hair and smiling as you sail down the street on your beloved bike.

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  5. Gorgeous!....but instead of wearing a flowery skirt (can get stuck in spokes....I know this to be true!) how about some nice floral "pedal pushers" (capri's for the uninitiated)!

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  6. Oh friend! I love it! When I was in fifth grade I also received a wonnky, old, clunky, vintage bike because it was all my parents could afford! And I too wish I could have loved it as much as I would now... But even though it was "cool" it was wonderful - my first grown-up bike with gears! I still remember the feeling of freedom and joy as I glided down our neighborhood street on it for the first time. Thank you for reminding me of all the gifts that bike gave me... xoxo

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  7. What a lovely bike....and an even more lovely man!! Unfortunately riding a bike around my house is a little tougher with all the hills.....you must be an avid biker to pedal uphill to my house from the village! But I adore your bike, and your vision!! And your menu? My dream. Bread, wine, cheese. Yes, please!!

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  8. Your dream of bicycling around the village is my exact dream...only difference, my bike is pink with a Martha Stewart basket. Congrats on your beautiful new bike. Wish I was close enough to ride over on my pink bike. :-)

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  9. What a beauty! I can just picture you in your pretty floral dress, running errands and waving to friends and bringing wine, bread and cheese home for a dinner on your porch with that keeper of a man you've got. Sigh.

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  10. What a fabulous bike!!! And a fabulous husband.

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  11. Congratulations and Happy Riding!!

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  12. Come join me for a ride along the beach bike path. But, don't judge me because I have a dull silver mountain bike. It's not cute, it's not hip, but it's functional and I just can't justify replacing it just for the sake of appearances. I do have a cute basket and I feel cool when we ride to the nursery and my basket is filled with flowers on the ride home.

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  13. That's the cutest bike I've ever seen. And isn't it wonderful you have a husband that makes all your dreams come true! You are a lucky girl!

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  14. Such a beautiful bike and an equally beautiful story! I love how a bicycle can make us feel like a kid again!
    And you are so right, thankfulness builds character, I truly believe that!
    I got my first bike since childhood last year, and was wobbly too...that will pass...soon you will be riding along with your feet off the pedals in the air! ;)
    Happy Almost Weekend! Hugs, Kimberley

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  15. Love the dream of yourself riding your bike through town! Go and let the breezes blow through your hair while enjoying this beauty. : )

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  16. Wow that is a dream of a bike. Here in England we have lovely bikes by a firm called Pashley but I don't think they do them in that gorgeous colour

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