Perspective on Two Wheels

Sometimes something jumps up and gives a little bit of much needed perspective. Sometimes they're life-changing events -- a birth, a death, an accident, a departure. But they don't always have to be so dramatic.

Last week, I was on vacation at home. And I accomplished something that's more important than anything I've done in months.

I taught my daughter to ride a bike.

No, that's not life-altering for you, and frankly it's not for me either. I've done it before, and I've got a younger son, so I'll do it again.

But it was life-altering for her. It was a huge hurdle finally overcome. It was a truly magnificent accomplishment as far as Jessie was concerned. The mystery of balancing and propelling herself on those two wheels was finally revealed. And the look on her face was like a whole new world had opened up for her. I could see her mind working, planning excursions she couldn't take before, trips to places she couldn't go on her own, now suddenly all within her reach. And as I'm often inclined to do in these instances, my mind flashed forward to explorations beyond her bicycle, to reaches that will take her beyond home, that will lead her away from me to a place that's all her own. And inside, I cursed myself a little for taking those training wheels off.

But then she hugged me and thanked me for not letting her fall, for not letting her give up. And I realized that I had really done something wonderful that afternoon. And I was reminded again that it's part of my job as a father. That I'm responsible for letting her fail, and for then encouraging her that the only way to do it is to get up and do it again. For running alongside her as she teeters on the edge of disaster, there to catch her fall and pick her up and put her right back on that bike again.

I come back to work today and confront problems and issues large and small, with clients, with colleagues. There's still bills to pay with a bank account that's forever stretched to its limit. The basement still needs to be cleaned out and I still haven't figured out how to wire that damn ceiling fan. There's plenty on my list of things to do.

But today I feel accomplished and important. And perspective rides along with a 7 year old on two wheels with silver streamers flying from her handlebars.

Yeah, sometimes life IS good.