Memory Monday!

This idea is from one of my favorite blogs.  It's a great idea, so I thought I'd do it too.  Ciria is going to do something with it also... I think? 

 

Monday's will be from this moment forward known as Memory Monday:  

This is ONE of my gifts from Mom's Day:

Wow- Right?  I have always, always wanted a Beach Crusier.  It is the ultimate bike for me!  Vallen and the kids surprised me with it!  It is gorgeous...a bright red with white hibiscus flowers!  Awesome.  And it is a great ride!  Yippee!  What does this have to do with Memory Monday???  

Do you remember your first bike?  

I do!!  When I was about 10 years old I was on the Manta Ray Swim Team with Kristy.  We LOVED it!  I'd have to say she was way more competitive then I ever was!  I really liked to swim but didn't always have the confidence to step-up and win!  Each and every race ended with my friend, Jennifer Piper winning first and me a close second.  It was just the way it was!  I didn't really mind I guess, because at least I wasn't coming in last!  Lol.  Anyway, Mom & Dad really thought I could win, if I would just try a little harder!  They were tired I think of Jennifer always winning:)  SO they tried to give me a little incentive...in kid language...a bribe!  If I won the next race they would give me a new stereo!  I shook my head no...then they said how about a new bike and a stereo!!  NOW the bribe was worth it to me!  Especially since I rode my bike the 3 miles to swim practice each morning!  I was all over this bribe!  I was going to win the next event, which literally was in about 2 minutes.  I remember being on the diving block ready for the start nervous as can be!  My stomach was doing flip-flops.  The start sounded I was off like a rocket with Jennifer Piper in the next lane!!  I remember doing the free-style in lightening speed.  Whenever I would turn my head to the side for a quick breath I could hear my coach yelling GO...GO...GO, and my Mom and Dad shouting GO CATHY!!  I guess for the first time I really didn't want to let anyone down AND there was that bribe...new bike...new stereo!  As I came to the end of my lap I kicked like crazy and reached out with my hand for the finish!  Bam!  I hit it hard with my hand and shot up out of the water to look in the next lane to see if, in fact I beat Jennifer Piper... I was wiping the water out of my eyes in antisipation for what I saw... Jennifer ...came... in... one... stoke... BEHIND me!  I had won!  I HAD WON!!  The celebration was awesome!  Lots of jumping around and congratulations from Mom and Dad!  It was amazing.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Beating Jennifer was awesome!! 

Well...not to totally overwhelm you with the details, but I came from a family of 6 kids on a very fixed income.  A new bike and stereo weren't exactly things my family could really manage financially!  I knew the reality of life and I wasn't too disappointed, just a little.  The beating Jennifer Piper moment really stood on its own, without the rewards!  Mom & Dad had a different plan...  my Dad went to the local Goodwill and bought me a used ten-speed bike.  Remember those?  They were the ones where the handle bars curved under like Ram horns?  My Dad spent a couple of Saturdays fixing it up.  My Dad was always good at the mechanical stuff!  He put on a new seat, new tires, and new tape around the handle bars.  He fixed the gears, oiled up the chain, and gave the bike an overhaul making it practically new!  One Saturday he gave it to me...all shiny and "like" new.  It was a great surprise!  I can honestly say I don't really remember my exact reaction, but surprised is the feeling I remember the most!  It was the best brown, ten-speed bike a 10 year old girl could ever ask for!  I LOVED it!  That bike was the best bike I have ever owned!   I remember spending my entire summer riding it around my neighborhood, every chance I got.  I also, remember the first time I rode it to swim practice...wind flying through my hair as I zoomed down the big hill in Moses Lake!  I was so proud to set my "new" bike against the fence and lock it up!  It was mine and I LOVED it.  It represented freedom and victory to me.   It will always and forever be the greatest bike ever!!  What could be better then that!  

Comments

[Alex]

Great blog Cathy. I'll look forward to your memory mondays.

[Calixta]

That is an amazing story, I love it! That would be the greatest bike ever. And I also love memory monday's!

[ciria]

Love the memory monday! hope to see more

[diana]

I remember that swim meet...you were awesome...We were not the only ones celebrating...all the parents and espcially Tony was extemely proud of you.

And Jennifer was not too happy!!!

I remember that brown bike and how that scared me when you were flying down that hill!!! You were fearless!

Good memory Cathy!!!!

[Keary]

Surprising as it is I don't remember the bike but I do remember the pride I felt when you were able to win the race. I had never been so proud, of one of my children, in my life. I think that helped me keep a smile longer than most things ever have.
Love ya!