freedom

afton has finally decided to learn to ride her bike without training wheels. she is a girl who needs to decide on her own, and not be told or cajoled or talked into anything. so, last night was the right time for her. this afternoon she's been riding and riding and riding with a gigantic smile on her face. it makes me remember that freedom i felt as a young girl riding off to somewhere. maybe to meet my friend neisha at the railroad tracks. maybe to the store for candy. maybe to the library. maybe down to the dirt road that ran alongside the field. maybe just down to the stop sign at the end of the road.

i think afton felt that same freedom this afternoon as she asked me if she could ride down to sarah's house. when i finally consented, she rode off with a smile and assured me she'd be fine. as soon as she was down a few houses, i snuck to the end of the driveway to make sure she was alright. when she turned around i hurried back up to my chair at the top of the driveway. when she rode up, she asked me who was jogging up our driveway. caught! i explained that a mother's job is to worry and make sure their children are safe. she told me a child's job is to make sure their mom knows they are just fine. she is very good at her job, but i'm an expert at mine.