September 24, 2012: This date shall be marked &
celebrated. History was made on this day, the undone was done. Overall 2012
should be marked for quite a few good things so far.
1.
During Memorial Day Weekend, for the first time
my wife went hiking. We drove for about 12 hours from Des Moines to Estes Park,
CO, stayed at a cabin by the Colorado River. From there we hiked the Rocky
Mountain National Park. And she did it while she was having the time of the
month and in the Colorado cold.
2.
Last month for the first time in her life, my
wife went camping. Granted we were only 15 miles from home at the Saylorville
Lake. But we camped for two nights. She braved the dark nights, all the
raccoons, noises, a little bit rain, super heavy wind and the cold.
3.
Yesterday after trying for about two hours, and
not giving up my wife finally started pedaling. For the first time in her life,
she started riding the bike. She rode the bike on the Windsor Heights trail.
The day before we went out on the trail. I put on a new, plusher seat for her
and was able to take only one pedal off. That evening she only practiced
rolling, tippy toeing. Yesterday I put the pedal back on. We hit the trail. She
kept trying to roll while raise her feet to pedal. I realized than how
challenging it is for someone who’s never done it before. For those who know
how to bike, it’s like swimming. And that’s why we never realized how hard,
daunting it can be for the newbies.
The magic happened after about half mile
down the trail. There’s a pretty good slope after about half a mile and I told
her to use that to her advantage. She kept trying and trying. She kept on it
for at least an hour if not more. While I was at the playground with our
daughter I saw her trying to pedal back to us and just being all over the
trail. I was quiet upset to tell the truth. You see, just before that Siana
(our daughter) fell off the slide and hit the ground pretty hard with her butt.
Poor kid got hurt bad, I was scared and in agony for her. So naturally I was
getting upset with my wife even though she didn’t have anything to do with it.
And then we saw it. She pedaled from the
bridge to us keeping the bike straight. Needless to say, both me and Siana, we
were static. We were screaming with joy. For a while, Siana actually forgot all
about her pain when she saw mommy biking. If I am not mistaken, she even said
something to the effect of ‘abbu, ammu is pedaling.’ I couldn’t agree more.
4.
This year, last Thursday to be more precise, I
finally did it. I went out and bought the Kawasaki Ninja 250R. Nabanita has no
clue, nobody knows so far. And it is due to be delivered today. I am excited,
sad and scared at the same time. Excited about owning a bike that I have feared
& loathed for the longest time. When I was taking the Basic Rider Course, I
remember thinking how come I haven’t done this before. Sad, the winter is upon
us. So, it will be a short season for me. Scared, cuz the sheer power the bike
has. The thrill but also the danger that comes with it.
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