Open Letter to My Son – Miki’s First Bicycle

 Dear Miki,

Each time we went back to Penang, you will be having a jolly good time with your cousins especially Arash and Sarah. Both of them have bicycles that they would ride around the housing area in the afternoons. You wanted to go round and round the place as well but you didn’t have a bike so you ran! And you ran and you ran after Sarah’s bicycle. You ran until you were drenched in sweat and your cheeks flushed pink.

Don’t feel so bad kid, I remember Arash did the same to his big bro Adam when he was your age too… After all, although you are tad taller for our age, you are only 3 years old. Still very much a baby to many…

A couple of weeks ago we finally bought your first bicycle. You used to have a tricycle that was given to you on your second birthday by my friends (thanks ladies!) but being a typical little boy, the tricycle is destroyed by the next birthday party.

At the toy store in Nilai 3, you picked the red and grey bicycle for yourself and it sure look very good on you. It has training wheels of course but I still wondered if you could push the pedals on your own. You didn’t get any useful practice with the tricycle, so I was prepared to go for 24 credit hours a series of training before you can ride the bicycle on your own.

But I was wrong. You climbed on the bicycle and instantly you start to push the pedals. Awkward in the first few minutes only but after that you were cycling on your own and navigating the handles like a pro! I am so proud of you. But being three, your legs are still not that strong so sometimes when it went uphill you need us to give you a little bit of a push. It’s okay!! We are still so proud of you!

And you know what kid, you look so gomoi-licious cute! I love you!

Check our my new bike guys!

Miki riding his first bike at the park

Look Mummy! One hand!

Yay! I am so excited!

That’s my son!

From that first day, cycling becomes your favorite past time, but to ensure your safety from mad rempit estate and fast moving cars, we always take you to our favourite park. Sometimes if I am home early and the weather is right, you make me hang out there until it is almost dark.

I don’t mind waiting for you my son, I don’t mind at all. Cycling is a good exercise and as I walk briskly behind you and your red bicycle, I was given some time to think.

I am thinking how fast you are growing. I am thinking how you have become mobile. I am thinking how soon you will ask for the training wheels to be removed and then you will speed even much faster. How fast will you go. Will you be safe.

I wish we could make this huge bubble and put you in it. So that when you fall you wont scrape you knee and when some sneeze you won’t catch the bug. But I know we can’t do that. As much as Mummy and Daddy is here to protect you, Miki… someday you jump on your wheels and you’ll be on your own.

And by then I hope we have thought you enough knowledge, enough wisdom to prepare you for the big bad world outside. How I drag that moment to come but Mummy and Daddy always want the best for you, son…

May you always be wise and good, be strong and be kind. Insya Allah, He will take care of you even when we are not. We love you Miki, We love you very much!

Mummy.