About

When I was five I watched my dad take the training wheels off my little red bike and proceed to set the thing in front of me, as if he thought I was actually going to “hop on” that damned mess.

It was a sobering reminder, when the horizon did little else but topple over, that I should’ve stayed well away from that double-wheeled death trap. I’m pretty sure I remember saying to him, “don’t let go!”

With a few rocks sticking to my skin and the tiniest (of what I recall being life-threatening) scratches, I simply sat on the sidewalk crying and waited for someone else to make it all better. My dad picked me up, set me on my feet, and brushed away some dust all while instructing me to have another try.

I’ve fallen many times since then, but I’ve learned to pick myself up, brush away the dirt, and give it another go.

There were times when it took a little longer to get back up, when it felt impossible – like I’d fallen just a little too far, and maybe a little too hard. There were times when I needed help to regain my footing, knowing I couldn’t do it alone. Times, even, when the memory of falling fast, falling far, falling hard, paralyzed me in the face of beginning at all.

And yet, here I am. Standing tall. I might be a bit bruised, but I hold my head high and try again, and again still. Each time, I learn a little more and grow a little stronger – there’s no need for training wheels any longer.

There’s no knowing what this blog will amount to, or what form it will take. I imagine it will evolve and grow much as I will over the time I commit to writing it, and maybe in it you’ll find something you can relate to. Regardless, I thank you for joining me on this journey.