Week #136 – Repost: “All I need is a pair of wheels…”
Today marks the third anniversary of the initial x-ray that set this whole thing off.
It’s a heavy day. And for some reason, I’m reminded of the simple joys of my daily bike ride — and a post I wrote last year on Week #83 about my new bike!
So here it is! (And for the record, I’m still unpacking…and I still sometimes forget that Rob is gone!)
Still unpacking…but we’re getting into the good stuff! (I unearthed my 8th grade photo album yesterday! No one is safe!)
There’s two major excavation projects going on here:
- There is the moving and unpacking of the “current” stuff — that’s the stuff I’ve been living with in my apartment for the past 8 years.
- And then there is the unpacking of the “storage” stuff — that’s the stuff that’s been in storage for more years than I care to calculate. Some goes back to college. Some — as I mentioned — goes back to 8th grade!
No wonder I am waking up disoriented! I barely know what city I’m in — let alone what decade!
The crazy thing is…through it all, I sometimes forget that Rob is gone. Like gone…for good. I swear there are days when I’m certain I could call him and he would pick up his phone. The distance — or perhaps the disruption in location — has allowed me to reconnect to him in an entirely new and unexpected way.
And while I’m supposed to be purging things…I have added a few items. Most recently, I bought myself a bike. I’ve had lots of different commutes in my lifetime — anywhere from 15 minutes to 2.5 hours. I’ve walked across town, driven the freeway, rode the train, taken the subway, and sat in a bus on Route 3. But never have I used a bike…until now!
It was the last place I expected my brother to show up!
There’s something about being on a bicycle that takes you back to when you were a kid. That first taste of freedom. The ability to get anywhere, faster. Down the street, through the woods, or maybe even the next town over. As soon as we were able — we rode our bikes. EVERYWHERE! (As long as we were home by dark!)
And while Rob never rode a bike up Ventura Boulevard with me — I remember him, and all the neighborhood gang, with each and every push of the pedals. “All I need is a pair of wheels!”
Your Happyness Challenge for the week ahead: “All I need is a pair of wheels!” Do you have memories of riding your bike when you were a kid? When was the last time you were on one? Believe me, it’s true what they say: you don’t forget. In fact, you may remember more than you think! Now…don’t just jump on and go riding into traffic if you haven’t been on one in a while! But if you have an opportunity…jump on a bicycle this week. And see where the memories take you!
Spread Happyness — share your stories in the comments!
4/21/17 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
grace@spreadhappyness.com