I feel like a kid when I ride my bike. I look down and can almost see my old green bike with fat tires. I remember enthusiastic bike rides in the past, and how I'd chug up a hill and race down the other side. As I ride this particular late afternoon, thinking about being a kid and my old green bike, the bright sun slips lower in the sky. As I turn a corner, it's fully in my eyes, blinding me in spite of sunglasses.
Reality check. It's those blooming cataracts. And with my new knee I'm not riding as fast as I used to. That young green bike girl may still live inside, but the outer body is aging.
In this season of life change seems to be the new constant. I continually seek grace to accept life now with a few limitations while at the same time using my age to good advantage, remembering amazing adventures and difficult lessons learned in these years I've been blessed with.
Adaption is something to be considered as I ride a bit more cautiously into the blazing sun. I may need to add a visor on my head. It'd be an innovation, but that might be a good change.
I can't even remember the last time I was on a bike. It was my favorite mode of transportation as a pre-teen and teenager (until I started driving at the age of 15). We also had a tandem bike at one point in time. I heard you on the aging body parts. All the injuries over the years are starting to manifest through throbbing bone and joint pain. No fun at all.
ReplyDeleteLove this post...it takes me back to my bike-riding days too! Like you, I can't remember how long it's been since I've riden one. We had bikes for years (Jim and I) but when we moved to hilly parts of the country like KY and then NC, it became a little difficult...and then you add the issues of gaining a few pounds and body parts not working as well as they used to...well, you get the idea. I sure would like to try it again someday though...thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteHey girl!!! At least you got on the bike. Good for you. I haven't been on a bike for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI love your picture. It's a classic.
I've been wanting to take a bike ride for a while now' maybe I'll borrow a kid bike from around d here. Very well written and full of truth! Change is a life constant!
ReplyDeleteI love your header, Dotsie!
Deanna
This was a great post! I loved it. Even now, I'm waiting on a hip specialist to get back to me to let me know if this prosthesis is fixable or if the pain is something I'd better get used to. Have a bike ride for me. :-) That's a great photo, btw!
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing older people talk about such things and I just couldn't understand. Now I understand all too well! I am mighty impressed by your bike riding! And I really like your header, too. Are you still visiting your sister?
ReplyDeleteI was riding right alongside you, Dotsie. Great post about what was and what is! I love your new header..so bright and festive! ♥
ReplyDeleteWow, if you're able to ride a bike, the knee must be working pretty good. I haven't been on one in years and don't like the hand brakes they have now but to feel free and have the wind blow through your hair sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned cataracts - must be an age thing as a number of our blogging sisters have had or will be having surgery to correct their eyes. Oh well, can't expect our bodies to run forever without a few repairs. :-)
You've described the wonderful, free feeling of bike riding so well, Dotsie. It's just been a couple of years since I was on my bike - I keep intending to get back to it, but don't. And I hear you about adapting to age while the young girl inside thinks she can do the same things she did in the past.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a special post, Dot...I felt such a connection with your feelings and words. The accepting of limitations with age, yet we still have so much compared to what we inevitably will have down the road, so grab it. I have those memories, too, of the feel of flying on my bike. You have to take it slow with your recovery and for me, well, I don't look for sympathy but with my hearing disability I simply can't hear traffic or cars behind me so it's dangerous. On the narrow roads at the lake it's even worse, my husband rides behind me to keep me safe and yet I can't hear him to tell me to move over. Walking/riding paths are not great as we have to hook the bikes up to a rack on the car and drive and then the paths are usually crowded. Okay. Enough whining. No pity party. I would simply love to be that little girl again with my pigtails flying! :)
ReplyDeleteJane x
P.S. I applaud you on your bike riding adventures!
It's good to feel like a kid again!!! Keep up the good work!! I'm not good at riding a bicycle so for me taking walks are good and the knees are holding out so far! Have a grand weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post and reminding us to accept our limitations that come with aging and to do the best we can with what we have....at this point in our lives. I haven't been on a bike in years and gave mine away this fall. I need level ground and not the hills and dips we have on our ridge. :) I too, used to bike in my much younger years starting on the sidewalk with a trike, then a two wheeled 'sidewalk bike', then a big awkward 2 wheeled one with no gears. What freedom we had to roam all over our neighbourhood and end of the city (back when it was relatively safe to do so!) visiting friends and exploring. Enjoy your visit to Florida. We had about 8 inches of fresh snow last night!
ReplyDeleteI love my bike ,too. This year I have seen a lot of changes in me.. I don't like it but I am determined to be the best of me.....
ReplyDeleteAhhh..."grace to accept" the changes and limitations. That is the key, isn't it? Grace? Oh, how I need that same grace. Beautiful post, Dotsie! Well written and full of wisdom.
ReplyDeletePodso,
ReplyDeleteYour voice put me right alongside with you on this lovely bike ride, dear friend!!!
I haven't tried to ride a bicycle since I don't know when.
That you, dear friend, for the gentle reminder that every new day in our lives can be an adventure!!!
Fondly,
Pat