The assignment: Write about a time when you had to overcome a weakness or do something difficult. Tell what it is, what you did, and how you felt. Explain also the lesson learned. This was my assignment given to my Jr. High students not so long ago. This was my own experience I shared with them.
It was many years ago in a land far from here. I was 4 at the time and had borrowed my neighbors Big Wheel without permission. The wind on my face and the freedom to ride all over the neighborhood was exhilarating. The feeling ended abruptly when my neighbors returned home.
My neighbors owned something I did not- a big, bright red and yellow Big Wheel with wide and black tires. It was a thrill to ride. I went to my neighbor’s house all the time so I could ride it. In fact, now that I think of it, riding it was more important to me then playing with the kids that lived there. One day as I knocked on their door, I realized that no one was home, which meant, no Big Wheel rides. My disappointment showed all over my face. I loved racing through the cul-de-sac my feet pedaling so hard and fast. I could beat anyone in a race. Now, what was I to do? I started heading home, probably mad that they were not home. While walking home, a thought entered my mind. I would go and borrow the Big Wheel.
I immediately ran back to their house and opened the latch to the gate that led into their back yard and there it was. I immediately grabbed it by the handlebars and pulled it out onto their pavement and then began to drive on their driveway. It was fun driving around in circles for a moment, but that got old pretty quick. I wanted more. Another thought entered my mind. It would be okay to take it out for a spin. I won’t be gone too long. Immediately, I took it out and headed up the road. My twin brother soon caught up with me and told me to return it because I was stealing. I am pretty sure I told him to go and take a hike and took off. After awhile and a few blocks away, the family drove by in their car. They took one look at me, slowed down, and stopped to ask me if the Big Wheel was mine. I started to cry and took off running towards home leaving the Big Wheel right in the middle of the road.
When I got home I ran into my room and hid under my blankets and pillow. Soon, I heard a knock at the front door, my dad talking to my neighbor, and the door closing. Then, I heard footsteps in the hallway and a knock at my door. I ignored the knock and didn’t say anything. My dad entered and then the discussion began. He was calm and not angry. In his soothing voice, he proceeded to tell me that I needed to go and return the Big Wheel and apologize to my neighbors. My sobs were so loud it was difficult for me to talk. I remember begging him to go and do it for me. He repeatedly told me that it was my responsibility. After some coaxing, I jumped off the top bunk and headed out the door wiping my tears on the sleeve of my shirt.
I slowly walked up the street with my head hung low. I was dreading every step. My friend’s father was standing on the driveway with his arms crossed watching my every step. I was so embarrassed. I walked past him feeling his eyes bore into my back and rounded the corner to find the Big Wheel still sitting there in the middle of the road. I didn’t dare ride it back and instead grabbed it by its handles and slowly marched it back to my neighbor’s house. When I got to my neighbors house, I quickly put it in the back yard while the father was watching my every move. Then, I sauntered over to the dad and quietly mumbled “I’m sorry” while looking at my shoes. I remember him saying to me as I was walking off- “don’t ever do it again”. Tears were streaming down my face full of relief that it was over and also feeling very bad for my terrible mistake. I felt so bad.
When I got home, I quietly walked into my room, climbed back onto my bed and sobbed into my pillow. Shortly thereafter, my father entered my room. He came over to me and gave me a big hug and told me I did the right thing. I cried into his shoulder and felt the comfort of his arms around me knowing that he had taught me a lesson using love that day. I didn’t want to go over there and return the Big Wheel. In fact, I begged and pleaded for my dad to do it for me. When he told me that it was something I needed to do, I begged for him to go with me. Once again, in a loving way, he told me I needed to do the deed on my own. I did it knowing that I would find comfort and safety in the end.
I have not forgotten that day, or the life lesson. It has reminded me often not to just take things that do not belong to me and to respect other people’s property. It also helped me to understand that I can do hard things and be better for it. Opportunities like this come often, and now that I know I can tackle it, I do, and I will!
.......I wrote this early one morning after Thanksgiving weekend, right before school was to start that day. I shared it with my group excited to see what they would come up with. Great responses about riding a bike the first time, learning to swim, a difficult babysitting job etc. resulted. I was happy about their ideas and yet I was haunted at the same time. I was haunted that I didn't pick out the best lesson learned from that event- the love and calmness exhibited from my father over the ordeal. This event probably would not have imprinted a good memory into my mind if it hadn't been handled in love by my father. I started to imagine how that moment so long ago, would have been placed in my mind had he been angry and upset. I didn't like the feeling. Then, I felt guilty, sick and haunted because I had had an awful Saturday with one of my daughters. It was awful because my reaction towards my daughter was so different than my father's reaction was with me. I needed a new lesson. I got it and now I will try to apply it.
It is funny how sometimes we learn things. As I sat at my computer in the early hours of the morning trying to come up with a topic for that particular writing assignment, nothing flowed until I started writing that memory. Everything else seemed forced. Someone knew I needed that lesson and this is how it was given- in love, once again- by a loving and kind Heavenly Father.
I have two fathers to thank. For one, I wrote this post, the other, I will pray to. I love you both, and Thanks for the life-lesson.
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