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Unlike many people, I had to learn to ride a bike on my own. My dad left my Mom and I stranded in a tiny one bedroom apartment in north Jersey and my Mom struggled to raise me by herself. I didn't have many friends, and was too small at the time to go off on my own and make new ones. Therefore, I was left to my own devices.

I got my first bike the Christmas right after Dad left. Although it was a miserable time for me, seeing that blue shiny new best friend made my heart flutter with delight. Santa Clause had surprised me with the "bestest present ever!" and I was eager to try my hand at riding, to prove to my Mom that I could do it. Her approval of such things was a top priority to me and I desperately desired her attention, love, nurturing and encouragement. Riding this new steel wonder, I believed, would really show her how much I deserved her devotion.

It didn't snow much that year, so I was able to take my new bike outside as soon as I was properly dressed. I did groan in upset that my mother had wanted me to wear that stuffy blue over-sized snow suit complete with boots and a scarf. I didn't believe I would be able to prove my skill at maneuvering my wonder wheels with all that unecessary and debilitating gear. My Mom eventually agreed, and off I went, out the door and into the street.

However, I had not given a lot of serious thought about the training wheels which accompanied my "real" wheels. As I ascended my throne (my big ugly-beautiful banana seat), I realized how awkward it felt to try and ride this bike as it rocked back and forth in an effort to balance my imbalance. I wasn't showing my Mom my skill-I was cheating, or so it seemed, and I disappointedly rode my bike back to the front steps of the house and went inside. My Mom, who had been watching me from the window, wanted to know why I was so upset.

"I can't ride my bike with those training wheels Mom!" I cried. "Please take them off, I know I can ride on my own!"

"Now honey," My Mom said, in that tone she always used when trying to avoid hurting my feelings over a decision that was obviously not going to be in my favor.

"You know you're not ready for that just yet."

Geez, I thought, I'm seven years old already and getting older by the minute! How much longer does she want me to wait? I stared out the window at my blue princess and wondered at the possiblity of taking off those training wheels when she wasn't looking. I decided I would wait until she returned to work and I would ask her to bring my

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