My Childhood - Story
My Childhood - Story
My Childhood - Story
I think I learnt how to ride a bicycle at 6 or 7 years old and I think I was in first
grade back then. It’s quite vague but I still remember some parts as it will be one of my
best memories during childhood with my late grandfather in my mother’s side. I learnt
how to ride a bicycle with my grandpa who was back then, as I can still recall, very
supportive and patient to me like no one ever did. I learnt how to ride a bicycle like
everyone else but because I'm a girl, and so skinny back then who is until now still have
low pain tolerance, I think I learned it the hard way. I used to have those bikes which
had two wheels supporting the back wheel so I don’t fall or from what they call it as a
training wheel. My bicycle was a gift to me from my Tita in Canada on my birthday. It
was just stored in the storage room and if it’s not for my Lolo, I would never ever use it
because as a child, my cousins would always scare me that learning to ride a bike
would be difficult and you have to have lots of wounds first to be able to finally learn it.
Good thing my Lolo stumbled upon it and decided to teach me then. At first, I was really
hesitant because being a slow learner at our house is kind of a big deal and we were
conditioned to learn everything the fastest way that’s why my parents would never teach
me because they are really impatient and it would just result for them calling me names.
But it was never the case with my Lolo as he’s the kind of person who would always
motivate and support me and would actually mean it and show it. He never gave up on
teaching me no matter how hard it was for me to learn it. I learnt slowly how to pedal,
steer, turn and brake properly. Once I felt comfortable, my grandpa took off one of the
wheels that supported the back wheel. At first it felt weird and of course I panicked and I
fell. I fell a lot of times and I cried and decided to give up. My wounds hurt badly and I
still have the scars from it until now. I tried to get used to it and eventually I did get used
to it. Then my grandpa took of the other wheel but attached the other one. It was to
make sure I knew how to balance on each side properly. Once I got the hang of that, my
grandpa eventually took off both of the wheels. Of course, I fell but then my grandpa
would always cheer me up and would tell me to toughen up so I will get back up again. I
just kept learning until I felt comfortable and eventually, I felt the sense of freedom, it
was like flying in the sky. I felt like an eagle soaring through the sky. It felt different. I
was really happy. I was happy because I proved my cousins wrong but most
importantly, I was happy because I made my Lolo proud. He then bought me ice cream
because of my achievement. His smile was priceless, it was so genuine. I wish I could
still have that proud face until now. I really miss him. I miss him being one of my fans
who never for once doubted my abilities. I still have my scars until now during my bike
lesson days, but this will remind me of everything my Lolo taught me and our memories
together. Learning to ride a bike as a child is a great experience that everyone should
feel.