First Memory

It was a warm evening, happy thoughts along with sharing potato chips with my mom and dad seemed to be the best it could get. It was one of those evening where the air was warm and the sky had enough clouds. Watching just the right amount of commercials that day had me begging my parents with the unending barrage of questions and deals to get the best toy I had every seen, "The Big Wheel".

A "Big Wheel" was about the closest a young boy could get to owning a custom hot rod. With it's red chassis, yellow forks, mag wheels in the back, and that really cool blue storage box behind the adjustable seat back.

Dad and Mom for some reason succumbed to constant begging for that awesome vehicle only a child was able to take on the many million of adventures possible. I remember my dad taking it out of the box and complaining about the some assembly required. I was trembling with excitement as dad put it together at a pace that is totally unacceptable to a child. I was ready before the box was opened to take this Big Wheel to speeds unattainable to most kids, take corners at break neck speeds, and most of all show off my new vehicle which the world of plastics had made available to me and me only.

I am 4 years old living in Silver Spring Maryland. My life as a child is somewhat a fog accept for a few choice memories. This day is one of the few i remember. Oh I was happy this day, I had two parents who loved me. Look at my my beautiful mother who holds me as a baby. You can see the love and happiness in her eyes which is reflected in my smile. My dad works for UPS and I am not sure if mom worked or not.

After dad had finally gotten it all together he took it outside and placed the 3 wheeled wonder on the side walk in front of our apartment. Straddling the red plastic body, immediately placing my feet on the peddles, I was off to my first taste of independence. My heart was racing as I took the first turn the side walk allowed, streaking to the other side of the courtyard. Coming around the 3rd corner and suddenly realizing this machine needed to come to a stop in front of the stoop my mom and dad were sitting on, I slowed my peddling to a pace which allowed me to be viewed in my full glory.

I was in heaven this day.