A few months back, the eldest Morette and I were riding bikes together. She was still using training wheels at the time--and so was I, in a sense. As we came towards home she peddled ahead a bit. As I approached our curb, I saw her off her bike fiddling with the back wheel. I pulled up and asked her what she was up to. "I'm taking off the training wheels," she replied. And she did, with her hands. I went in and got a wrench to help, but she led the charge.
She had noticed that other kids in the neighborhood weren't using them anymore, so she decided it was time for her to brave the asphalt with only two wheels. I had not encouraged this--and was even a bit skeptical--but I let her try it. We went out to the center of the road. She didn't ask for a lesson, and I didn't give one. With two wobbly wheels beneath her, I held her seat while she got her balance, and then took a few steps steadying her. Then, off she went. She went to the end of the block and stopped. I came down and held again, this time with fewer steps. Back at our house, she turned around, and then took off without my help. And she has been riding ever since.
There have been a few little falls since then, but nothing major. She loves to ride now, and is proud of not having the training wheels. What I love about it is that it wasn't my idea, it was hers. She knew it was time to try, and had the courage to do it.
Her display of courage on our sidewalk--taking on the next challenge in life, unscrewing those training wheels--had a big impact on me. It was around that same time that I started wondering what to do about my work life. I have been working for others my entire career. Over the last year or so, it has felt less and less satisfying. The anxiety was rising faster than the raises were rising!
Watching Morette One taking off those training wheels had a profound effective on me: it gave me the courage to do the same thing.
So today was my first day working for the new boss: Thomas More. I'm on my own, with no safety wheels. It's a bit scary, and a bit exhilarating.
As I finish my first day without training wheels, I wanted to thank all my friends that have been an encouragement to me leading up to this move. And I wanted to thank my family for giving me the courage to try.
Ride on,
Thomas More
Your story reminded me of one of my Dad's favorite stories from my childhood-the time when he persuaded me to take the training wheels off my bike. I complained and complained that I couldn't do it but finally climbed on the bike and managed to wobble to the end of the street, certain that he was still holding on to the back of the saddle. When I turned around, he was about 100 yards back, where we'd both started, with a smug grin on his face.
Ride on indeed, Thomas! Some of us need more encouragement than others, and you have been brave enough to make the leap. Congratulations!
Posted by: Philomena | June 12, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Thomas,
No one is more capable than you. We are proud of your endeavor and know you will do great! Isn't it neat when we learn from our kids?
Best wishes,
Lucy
Posted by: Lucy | June 13, 2007 at 12:50 PM
That's so exciting! Best wishes to you and your family.
And I won't mention that the first time I rode without training wheels I practically stripped my whole left elbow of all it's skin :)
Well, I guess I just went and mentioned it. Sounds like your family has a better equilibrium anyway :)
Posted by: Portia | June 14, 2007 at 01:23 PM