“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”

My husband surprised me with a new bike. It has been over fifteen years since I’ve actually owned a bike, and I have to admit, although I really wanted to ride (hence him surprising me with it!), I was kind of scared to actually get on the road.

Would I fall off? Would I be able to break? turn? avoid parked cars? Would a car not see me? Would I be able to go down hill? up hill?

I took a few minutes to introduce myself to the bike; road it gingerly up and down my block ON THE SIDEWALK. My neighbor saw me and smiled. I felt like I was 8 years old again, on my bike for the very first time- cautious, slow, using my feet to slow down.

The next morning I woke up ready to really face my fears and ride that bike on the road. Little man just woke up, Michael was drinking his morning coffee, Lulu was still asleep.

“I’ll be right back, hon. I’m just going to ride up and down the street for five minutes. I want to get my bearings.”

My husband laughed. Just the day before he road up and down along the beach for almost 2 hours. “Ok, babe,” he said. “Have fun!”

Onto the street. Hmmm. It wasn’t so bad. I picked up speed – kind of exhilarating. I biked around my neighborhood, wind in my hair, sun on my face, “Woo hoo!” I actually shouted OUT LOUD. A lady was walking her dog, and she laughed out loud. I waved – one hand even off the wheel!

A few blocks away from us homes are set on the water. It’s just beautiful, very little traffic, serene. I biked up and down, back and forth, smiling the entire time. It was over 40 minutes, and I could have gone longer, but figured my Lulu would be waking up soon and wanted to give her a good morning kiss.

I walked in the door singing.

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