Letting Go

One of our summer goals was for L to learn how to ride a two wheeler.  We started practicing almost as soon as school was out in June.  We took off the training wheels and  gave it a try.  Michael and I took turns holding onto her seat while she peddled.  It didn't go well . . .

After just a few attempts the training wheels went back on the bike and summer progressed.  We tried a couple more times, but it seemed she just wasn't quite ready.

Last week we gave it one more try.  School was about to start and she wanted to accomplish her goal.  I admit as I unbolted the training wheels, I was less than confident.

We started again - her riding, me running behind holding the seat.  I just couldn't bring myself to let go of the seat.  She was too wobbly and wasn't  peddling fast enough.  I exhorted her to "keep her balance and peddle faster."  But we were in the same place as before.

Then something happened and I let go . . . . . .she kept peddling . . . and she didn't fall off the bike.

I was amazed and humbled.  Turns out I was the one holding her back.  All I needed to do was let go.  Once I did she was free to ride. 

I've thought and thought about this.  I wonder how many times as her mom, I have been unwilling to let go and therefor held her back from what she could have accomplished?  I thought she needed more balance and more speed, but all she really needed was the freedom to go.

I'm sure this will happen again.  Letting go is so hard - and there will be so much of it in the future.  I'll have to let her go more and more each year and ultimately I will have let her fly away.  I've heard the cliche about giving our children roots and wings, but this week the cliche made more sense to me than ever before.