Close Encounters

Imagine, if you can, a home that is so peaceful and calm. Mama is in the garage, you see her walking from one side to the other; sorting this and that, asking papa if he would pick this up or that. Scotty is at your feet barking and growling at everyone and anyone who passes by. He has his tiny little tail wagging back and forth so quickly all you see is a blur. Every time he yaps his whole body lifts off the floor, just barely hopping up from the force of his "mighty" bark. You smile as you look out from the garage, watching the beautiful day progress. The sun slowly, sluggishly meanders across the sky, sneaking in and out of the clouds like poorly skilled thief trying to escape. Then you see your friends, and they are happy to see you; excited. You run out to them and follow them to their house where you play soccer, tips, tag, cops and robbers, and any other game you can think of. Just imagine a day so uncomplicated and simple. A calm relaxing exciting enjoyable day. Whatever you are imagining, i only wish that was how my day had gone.

It was a sunny beautiful day alright; a perfect day, for an accident. I remember the birds singing in the background, a soft cackling song; almost as if the birds themselves knew what would happen. It was my first day driving; I was terrified. I remember the feel of the grip, the drivers seat, thinking about how everything my dad had taught me seemed so far from reach. I looked down the road to my goal, only a short ride and then i can stop i thought; at least that was the plan. I looked up into the sky, every color vivid as my heart pounded in my ears. I could feel the blood rushing, hear the pressure. Papa was coaching me on how to start again, reminding me of when to put pressure on the pedal, when to break, how hard, how often. His voice started to fade like a voice on the wind, one moment giving advice, the next gone. As i steeled my nerves, thinking, "Come on you can do it, only a short run, thats all, come on James, come on..." I looked to make sure my path was clear, as i was taught. I then prepared to floor that pedal...ok maybe not floor, but i can dream, especially when my hearts pounding. Then, I WAS OFF!!! pedaling my two-wheeler down that drive-way, the first time i  had ever rode without training wheels. IT WAS GLORIOUS!!! I felt free, excited, invincible, like i was going to hit the bottom of that drive-way and then I WAS GOING TO GO AROUND THE BLOCK!!! NOTHING COULD STOP ME!!! Until, out of no where a wall of silver slid in front of me. I couldn't stop, i was going to fast, I WAS GOING FAST.

The next thing i know, i was laying on the ground, the wall of silver popped out and started reaching for me; only then did i realize that this vicious silver wall was a care i hadn't seen. They had been at the mail-box across the street. Some how, don't even know to this day, i hadn't seen them. When i took off, they were backing up. Those birds knew it would happen, they knew it. Fortunately, neither i or the car were damaged. This memory is one of the few from my early childhood which i still remember to this day. I think about it every now and then, the day when i took my first spin down the drive-way. This is my Close-Encounter.

(P.S. For you information, it has since been proven that in neighborhoods where children are just learning to ride a two-wheeler, If birds are singing, the chance of an accident has been proven to go up by 67%. Just saying, BIRDS FAULT!!!)