Another Summer Gone By…
Submitted by Jeffrey Grimm
My son and I pull in the driveway from another exhausting
"excursion". I wish my daily grind would exhaust me so well. As we
wash our rides, I think about the summer that's past. The people we met, the
fun we had, the mud I scraped from my visor… laughing. My how my little guy
has grown. I remember a time he wouldn't go up the slightest hill. A time when
he wasn't to sure what Dad got him into, as he stared at the big noisy machine
Santa brought for him. Now a couple years later, my boy is eight and he rides
like a seasoned pro (so he thinks). I love to pull off to the side and watch
him ride, the smile on his face, the concentration as he finally conquers that
darn hill that scared him earlier. The (muddy) look on his face as he giggles
when he comes back from the mud hole I'd hoped he wouldn't run through. He loves
to ride, to stop and explore the world around him. His eyes are wide as he sees
an animal running through the trees. The sights, sounds, and colors, the view
from the top of that hill, as we wind our way around the trails. The chitchat,
the laughter amongst friends, and the questions I am asked by my son when we
stop on the trail and have some lunch. I love to hear "Daddy, are we going
riding this weekend" or "Daddy, can I ride your 4 wheeler, PLEASE,
PLEEEEASE". So there I am leaning on his 90 as he rides around on mine
acting like he's king of the mountain (at 4 MPH..). Not that I mind one bit.
We usually ride with a couple friends. I love to watch
the little ones riding together. As we ride the trails, I like to bring up the
rear (eating dust as usual). Watching their faces as they contemplate if they
can make that hill. Wondering if they can make it over that branch. Making that
life or death decision (not really). Following each other around like the big
boys. To enjoy the outdoors, be one with the wilderness.
Well, the 4 wheelers are all clean, sitting in the garage
like a puppy ready for a run, but the leaves are falling and the breeze is a
little cooler, the sun drifts behind the hill a little earlier than I remember.
I ponder another summer gone by. With the worlds problems it's good to remember
the fun and friendship, even if it's only for a moment. Good Night Mother Nature.
See you in the spring.
