Time travel. We can do it! But, it\u2019s a one-way street. We can only go back in time, not ahead. Us old coots do it all the time. It\u2019s amazing how quick I can shoot back 70 years to my seventh birthday party, sitting around the dining room table with a half dozen neighborhood kids playing pin the tail on the donkey and musical chairs as a prelude to the cake & ice cream followed by the opening of the presents. That was the year I received a Hop-a-long Cassidy, gun and holster set from my parents. It was something I\u2019d coveted for two years, ever since I saw my first \u201cHoppy\u201d movie and he became my hero. Now, I could be \u201cHoppy\u201d in our unending, neighborhood game of \u201cCowboys and Indians.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my time travel mode, I can then fast forward four weeks, to Christmas, the second highpoint in my seventh year. A two-wheel bicycle was under the tree with my name on the tag. I could retire the giant, three-wheeler that served as my horse, and hop on a two-wheeler, extending my range by several blocks and doubling my speed. It was a used bike, but it made no difference to me; it was red, my favorite color. My sister got a bike too; hers was blue. We had to wait until spring to take them outside and learn to ride. An eternity! Finally, the day came. I will never forget the feeling of horror when I looked back and saw my father half a block away, yelling, \u201cYou did it!! You did it!\u201d I had thought he was guiding me along with his hand firmly attached to the back of my seat. I was okay until I realized he wasn\u2019t there; I then immediately crashed to the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I eventually learned to ride, but it was a slow process. The bike was too big for me. Everything we got in those days was too big. You \u201cgrew into\u201d things – clothes, bikes and shoes with newspaper stuffed in the toes. I could balance and ride the bike in a fairly straight line, but I couldn\u2019t get started without my sister\u2019s help, and I couldn\u2019t stop and get off without falling over. She would start me off, and then ride fast to get ahead and catch me as I came to a stop. I eventually learned to do it on my own, using the curb along the road. Now, I\u2019m back to using the curb again, every once in a while, anyhow. I just hope I don\u2019t have to ask my sister to assist me as I slowly revert back to a seven-year-old skill level. I\u2019d much rather get there by time travel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n