Yesterday I had the opportunity and blessing to be able to find time to go for a ride on my bike. It was a beautiful day, sun shining, 65 degrees and very little traffic. All I could think about was how much I loved being out there and how much I enjoyed riding my bike. It calms my mind, firm’s my body, and makes my heart peaceful.
I found myself thinking, when did I start to love to ride a bike? My answer- when I was just a little girl. The thought continued. What else do I love to do right now and did it tie to what I loved as a child? I love to listen to music, learn, hike, and be by the water. As a child, material things were not a big part of our lives. There wasn’t much for material things in our lives. Which today, I see was just fine. I had an epiphany, everything I love to do today, is what I loved as a child.
As a very young girl, my grandpa lived with us. There wasn’t a memory that didn’t include him as an infant, toddler, or even as a young teen. He loved to garden and listen to country music and talk long walks in the nature. He had built a little shed that gave him solace from the rest of the world. There was a rocking chair, a record player connected to an extension cord, and some country records. When he needed to “get away” from us/the world, he would go there and listen to music. He found peace in it. While he might have wanted to be alone, it was rare that I wasn’t there right by his side. I would be sitting on his lap listening to the music with him and rock away. Today, I still find myself being drawn to country music as I seek solace in my life.
We lived in the country so there were plenty of woods and water arou
nd us. Whenever my grandpa would take a walk down the road, I would run after him and say, “Grampy, can I come?” And of course, he let me. He taught me about trees, walnuts, and even saw some wildlife as we walked. I felt connected to something that I couldn’t explain. And it wasn’t the bugs! I still don’t like them. 😊
In the summer, we would often play in a brook close by. It was mostly the kids that got in and splashed around. Fun times had by all. Today, I continue to play like a child in the water. When my children were younger, we would jump in, play ball, slide down a slide into a pool. Memories continue to build.
I used to ride my bike a lot. When I became a teen, I worked to purchase my first ten speed bike. I was so excited because it was my first big purchase from my own earnings. I won’t bore you with the details but I could tell you everything about that bike. We still lived in the country so when I wanted to visit a friend or go to work or basically have any connection to the outside world, I would utilize my bike. At that time, I didn’t realize just how fortunate I was and today, I am so grateful for the fact that a bike was my primary form of commuting.
We all have things we can focus on that didn’t go all that well as a child. Matter of fact, I’ve had more than my share. And at the same time, I have as much to feel blessed about. My first and everlasting love is being connected to nature.
What is your first love? And are you still connected to it? Share with us what makes your soul sing…
