Training Wheels

 A current observation:

I am sitting on my patio, reading a book, smoking a cigar, and listening to music. Soon a man comes by walking astride his son of maybe five years who is on a bicycle. The father is holding the back seat of the bicycle and encouraging the young man along. 

I immediately flashed back to that moment when I finally shed the training wheels of my bicycle. My father was holding the back seat and trotting beside me at a quickened pace while I pedaled in a constant, but measured tempo. 

Throughout this journey he kept encouraging me to go faster and that it would be okay. I finally dared to move faster, and faster, and faster still. Fear kicked in and I asked Dad to slow down. "Dad!" I called out but got no answer. "Dad! Dad!" Still no answer. 

I finally looked behind me, and he'd let go of the seat and I was flying solo. I can still see the smile on his face. Seconds after, when I realized he wasn't there I stumbled and fell to the ground. He ran up to me and we laughed for what seemed forever. It was the first moment I remember overcoming the fear of failure. I would finally be rid of the training wheels forever. 

RIP Vincent