Winter Issue 2016 (2)

Back in the saddle again...
It appears Mr Christmas will definitely
have his work cut out again this
festive season.
Pen’s well and truly been put to paper and at the
top of my youngest’s list of longings this year is a
brand new big boy bike.
It’s been a while coming - a precarious start
didn’t bode well for my nervous little novice as
he took the giant leap from stabilisers early in the
summer.
Quite surprising really as he’s been the very
proud second owner of his brother’s hand-medown
balance bike for the past few years.
The words greased and lightning always spring
to mind.
It seemed feet to pedals was a bridge too far
however, for someone who wanted to keep his
both firmly on the ground.
So it was with glowing pride that I watched him
brave the elements in early October in a bid to
conquer his fears once and for all.
It took him no time to get back in the swing of
things and after half an hour he was chasing
his brother all over the place, even starting off
himself - much to his clear delight.
I have to admit to getting a little bit emotional as
they tore about in the cool autumn sunshine.
Three years ago I remember doing exactly the
same with my eldest.
Balance bike to no stabilisers was mastered
within another glorious afternoon on a
nondescript piece of grass on the other side of
the village. And one that always makes me crack
a smile whenever I stroll past on my many dog
walking duties.
It’s yet another one of those moments of
magnitude, that completely blindside you and
sweep you off your feet.
And when you’ve dusted yourself off, picked
yourself off the floor and composed yourself
for a second, you look up to see your children
breaking free from yet another parental tie.
On the plus side, learning to ride your bike
remains a fantastic metaphor for life.
NEWS
Desperate Dad
Yes, there are sure to be lots of bumps and
bruises along the way, but if at first you don’t
succeed, try, try again.
And if you’re lucky enough you’ll always have
someone behind you, steering you in the right
direction, ready to catch you if you fall.
So if ‘Santa Christmas’ does indeed manage to
cram two brilliant new bikes down the chimney
come the early hours of December 25. It’ll be a
bittersweet moment for us all once more.
Sure, the boys will be pleased as punch with
their shiny new wheels, but I’ll have that
familiar ache in my heart as they
pedal power their way towards
the next major milestone.
Barry Wood is an ex journalist now working
for the NHS in Lincolnshire. A father of two
boys and husband to one Portuguese wife,
he blogs regularly as Desperate Dad.
Read more adventures:
barrylwood.wordpress.com
Facebook: Desperate Dad
Twitter: @Dad_Desperate
www.mollysguide.co.uk
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