All week long the kids had been asking about bike riding. When could we finally give Levi his new bicycle? Saturday finally arrived, the promised day. Levi seemed to be thrown off that Andrew was home after getting accustomed to him leaving for work each day, so he seemed to be a bit more high-strung than usual. So after a chaotic breakfast and several wardrobe changes on Chloe's part we got everyone strapped into the car (sigh...blissful moment). Andrew's family had gone together to buy a super cool green bike for Levi and left it in our storage area so we hadn't even taken a good look at it yet. But as we loaded the bikes in the car we realized it was going to be too big for this first-time rider. So, simple solution - we'd let Wade ride Levi's new bike and Levi ride Wade's bike. Wade could probably move into an 18" bike anyway. And we hadn't wrapped it or planned a big presentation anyway. If it was too big for Wade we'd just return it and buy a new one for Levi to have and Wade could have his original bike back. Ok, hope you followed that. Just keep it in mind for later.
We hit the Red Bank tennis courts and both boys (and girl who hadn't been on her bike since a little fall) were flying round and round before we knew it. Levi picked up the pedaling SO fast - it was amazing! It took several near collisions for him to realize he couldn't just watch his feet the entire time but needed to steer.
The green bike looked a little big for Wade so Andrew drove home quickly for a few tools to adjust the seat and handle bars. Daddy driving off and leaving us at the tennis courts was kind of confusing to Levi but we're getting pretty good at Sherades so he was ok after a few minutes. Well, even after Andrew tinkering with the green bike Wade said he'd really rather have his original bike back. At the same time some tennis players arrived so we didn't to let them have the courts. So, we decided to load up, head to Toys R Us - Wade and I would run in to exchange the bike while Andrew took Chloe and Levi to CVS for a band-aid. Then we could go to another nearby park for some more riding. Did I mention Levi fell and scraped his arm? He really like band-aids and was quite insistent on needing one.
Of course, the Sherades were a bit more tricky on this explanation. But the Lightning McQueen band-aid helped calm Levi down. Meanwhile, Wade and I find a blue Huffy bike very similar to his original bike and make the exchange. At this point, I'm paying the $10 extra for the assembled bike.
We arrive at the park and get everyone and the 3 bikes unloaded. Then we present the brand new blue bike to Levi (somewhat relieved that he'll now have a new bike and feel special). But that's where it all hit the fan. And as the tears streaked down that sweet boy's face and the screams erupted it dawned on us what he saw. He saw mommy and daddy had given him a gift, a red bicycle and now they were taking his bike away and giving it to his brother. He was blinded to the brand new sparkling blue bike we had just presented to him...all he saw was what was being taken from him. By now, Wade had unknowingly hopped on his original bike (the red one) and was blazing around the bike trail while Levi sobbed - all out sobbed and wailed as I attempted to hold him and comfort him. And Andrew and I are looking at each other frantically trying to determine what exactly to do about the situation. Wade has already said he wasn't interested in the sparkling blue bike. Do we tell Wade he has to give up his speedy red bike for his new brother....the one that he has already endured so much from in one short week? The one he has listened to yelling and crying at each and every meal....the one to whom he has given up mommy hugs and snuggles and attention ....the one by whom he's been hit and screamed at....the one whom life has pretty much centered on for the last 7 days? Can Google Translate possibly help us explain this situation to Levi?
You may think this all trite. You may think - its 2 bikes and 2 boys and tell each boy to hop on a bike and they'll get over it after a few turns around the track. And sometimes that may be true...but not this time. Both these boys, their hearts are fragile and their emotions are just as real as mine. And though their problems look minuscule "in the grand scheme" - in their eyes, this is a BIG deal.
We realize our blunder - wished that we would have seen the confusion that would ensue by letting Levi ride Wade's bike. But now its done and we've got a ballistic 4yr old in the park. So, Andrew speaks with Wade and explains a bit of the situation and tells him we will return the blue bike and he can buy any bike in the entire store that his heart desires if he will let Levi have his original red bike. Wade agrees, however slightly reluctantly and hands the bike over to Levi.
Now we're making plans to return to Toys R Us. As we're working out the details Levi goes sailing past and turns to wave at us. However he doesn't know how to use his brakes really. So, before our eyes, he swerves off the pavement into the ditch - flips over, bike lands on top of him and is now lying in the ditch. Oh my word. I seriously thought our parenting license was going to be revoked right then and there. Thankfully, he was not hurt. I mentioned this incident in my post yesterday because it was very confusing. He initially cried for about 5 seconds. Then he wiggled out of my arms and got back on his bike. I'm not going to go into all of that again as I did yesterday, but any other kid I know would have cried for a long time and would have been done with the bike for the day (at least). I wanted to comfort my boy but he walled himself up and kept on moving.
Wade, Chloe and I drive to Toys R Us return the bike and find a really sweet bike for Wade. He was actually pretty excited about it after I told him the manufacturers also make dirt bikes. We went back and picked up Levi and Andrew and headed for home...everyone fairly happy.
That evening Andrew sent me to church with Wade and Chloe and as I pondered the morning - how much I take for granted the wisdom and discernment the Holy Spirit constantly offers - how limited my perspective is - how easily I can blunder the deal. And as the weight of this responsibility of guarding our little guy's heart laid heavy on me the worship band started into the song the Lord wanted to sing over me "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound." The truth lit up my heart: I will fail over and over again but His grace is sufficient for Levi. He has convinced us of it over the last 12 months: that He sets the lonely in families and He is the Potter who softens and molds every heart. He enables us to be loved and to love others. Sweet, sweet grace that covers a multitude of inadequacies. I am nothing without it.
Love,
Andrew & Robin
No comments:
Post a Comment