For my elementary school graduation, my grandfather bought me my first bicycle. Not only a bicycle, but the bright pink Roxie cruiser that I had dreamed about for years. Each time we went to the store, I would beg my mom to take me straight to the bicycles just to take a peek at it. I was elated that it was finally mine!

I taught myself how to ride and would spend hours outside each day cycling up and down the streets of my neighborhood and my favorite, up and down a very large hill about a mile away from my home. This bicycle was my escape from a very hard home life and I took care of it with so much love, cleaning it after each use and ensuring that there were no scuffs. One day my father took my bike from me and aggressively rode it down the street which lead to the pedals breaking off because it could not handle an adult’s weight. I was devastated but thankfully we were able to get it fixed and I continued to fly up and down the streets.

This was over 15 years ago. My grandfather is no longer here, but the bicycle that he so generously gifted me is still a prized possession to this day, only it sits safely in my garage, good as new, as I am afraid of breaking it now that I am older. I have not ridden a bike in many years but I look at mine fondly each day with hopes of someday riding again and experiencing this escape once more.

Jenna