It Happened

We were buying bikes for the Prince Elementary School Fall Festival raffle when JannyLou and I had the same thought at the same time.  

What if it's the wrong size?

And so, when I noticed a small kerfuffle around the winner of the final prize, I was not surprised that he'd won a bike that was as big as he was.  

His dad was trying to make it work.  Blocks on the pedals.... moving the seat... but there was no way to fix the main problem.  Like they say in basketball, you can't teach height.

His teacher was sympathetic.  The social worker felt his pain.  I tried to see if the tags were still attached so that they could return it to Walmart.

Then I stopped.  

What color bike would you like? Blue. The helmet, too? OK, Grandma Suzi will bring you a blue bike and a blue helmet and a lock on Monday when you come to school.  

His response was classic little kid - can I go play now?

All the grown ups were teary eyed.  The big brother sitting on the too big bike looked very comfortable. 

Do you have a bike?  

No.  

Well, how do you like the fact that I've just finagled you a bike and you did absolutely nothing to make it happen, except be bigger than your brother?

His Wait?! I get to keep this?!! is why JannyLou and I do this.

And if that weren't enough to warm the cockles of your heart, by sheer happenstance the little guy's teacher happened to walk through the lobby at the moment I wheeled in the bike. We agreed that the social worker's room was a better resting place than her classroom, and I left her kvelling over these chromed out training wheels.

Being in the right place at the right time with the right friends backing me up feels really good.