stolen bike, kids and longboarding
Got home from work and was promptly informed that Matt had his bike stolen from the skate park. He left it alone for about 20 minutes while he was perfecting his latest move. Matt has been back into the skate park scene. When we were in Bellflower, he started skateboarding, then began tinkering with inline. In Chilliwack he bought a bmx style (the one that was riped off) and has been doing that. Lately, he's been interested in longboarding. Check out the video marc made by our house.
Raising kids is a huge challenge, and I find myself often feeling what they feel. Like when Matt saved up his money and we drove to abbotsford to purchase this bike. I was so excited for him. Every trick he'd pull of, I'd be like "YES!"
When I got news of his bike being stolen, I was upset. I had to do something. After I heard the whole story from Matt and the other kids, I packed James into the van and went looking. Our first stop was the skatepark. I asked some of the regulars there if they saw anything. One of the kids said they saw about 3 kids near the bike and then later saw them biking away heading west. So, I jumped back in the van, James had a million questions, and headed west.
I started driving through neighborhoods and didn't see anything. I found a road I hadn't been on and was enjoying the sites when I saw a group of kids driving their bikes towards me. One of the bikes looked like Matt's, so I turned around and drove next to the kid on Matt's bike. He was quite cool and began chatting with me. I didn't know what to say and I didn't want the kid to dart. So, I said, "Nice bike." The kid said, he just got it from Henry (Henry just pulled up). Henry and him traded bikes. So Henry was the one who stole Matt's bike. Henry was busted. I looked at him and could identify with the feelings of being guilty. So I said, "Hey Henry, thanks for finding my son's bike. Stay out of trouble."
I got the bike and put it in the van and drove home. Matt was very happy and said thanks about a million times.
This was a disturbing experience for me and it brought up a bunch of questions. Like what could I have done in that moment with those kids that could have affected their lives for the positive. I was standing there, not knowing what to say. Fortunately for them, I'm not the type to "teach them a lesson" - but I wanted them to learn. Where will they be in 10 years? Bikes now, what about later? I felt totally helpless. It kept me awake last night seeing the face of the kid who took the bike -- he had the look of someone who was just found out. Sheepish, shameful and scared. I felt sorry for him. I wanted him to experience grace and peace. Better yet, a way of life where he doesn't have to grasp and claw his way through.
Raising kids is a huge challenge, and I find myself often feeling what they feel. Like when Matt saved up his money and we drove to abbotsford to purchase this bike. I was so excited for him. Every trick he'd pull of, I'd be like "YES!"
When I got news of his bike being stolen, I was upset. I had to do something. After I heard the whole story from Matt and the other kids, I packed James into the van and went looking. Our first stop was the skatepark. I asked some of the regulars there if they saw anything. One of the kids said they saw about 3 kids near the bike and then later saw them biking away heading west. So, I jumped back in the van, James had a million questions, and headed west.
I started driving through neighborhoods and didn't see anything. I found a road I hadn't been on and was enjoying the sites when I saw a group of kids driving their bikes towards me. One of the bikes looked like Matt's, so I turned around and drove next to the kid on Matt's bike. He was quite cool and began chatting with me. I didn't know what to say and I didn't want the kid to dart. So, I said, "Nice bike." The kid said, he just got it from Henry (Henry just pulled up). Henry and him traded bikes. So Henry was the one who stole Matt's bike. Henry was busted. I looked at him and could identify with the feelings of being guilty. So I said, "Hey Henry, thanks for finding my son's bike. Stay out of trouble."
I got the bike and put it in the van and drove home. Matt was very happy and said thanks about a million times.
This was a disturbing experience for me and it brought up a bunch of questions. Like what could I have done in that moment with those kids that could have affected their lives for the positive. I was standing there, not knowing what to say. Fortunately for them, I'm not the type to "teach them a lesson" - but I wanted them to learn. Where will they be in 10 years? Bikes now, what about later? I felt totally helpless. It kept me awake last night seeing the face of the kid who took the bike -- he had the look of someone who was just found out. Sheepish, shameful and scared. I felt sorry for him. I wanted him to experience grace and peace. Better yet, a way of life where he doesn't have to grasp and claw his way through.
posted by mike vanderkwaak at
10:11 AM
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