My niece turns six this month, and Victor and I took her to buy her birthday present, a new bike, on Saturday.
We didn't tell her where we were going beyond "to the store." She accepted with no trouble or particular interest. She's used to be being dragged along on errands. In the bike shop, she followed me when I went to the children’s' bikes, but it took a few minutes for her to ask "Why are we here?"
"To look at bikes," I said.
After a long pause, she said "For who?"
"Well, who here doesn't have a bike already?"
She did break into a big smile when she answered "I don't!" but I'm not sure she really comprehended it until I said "Which bike do you like?"
"They're all very nice," she said. There were four models on display, all bubblegum colors and decorated with flowers or butterflies. (I really hate that bike manufacturers are so obviously gender-specific in kids' bike finishes, but that's a rant for another day. My niece is a pretty girly girl and doesn't mind that kind of thing.) She contemplated the bikes for a second, then made her choice in the most logical way: "Eeenie meenie miney mo. Catch a tiger by the toe...." complete with deliberate pointing to each bike as she loudly pronounced each syllable.
The bike shop owner was laughing so hard he turned away, and I could see his shoulders shaking.
The one she picked out is a hideous shade of fuschia. But when the owner pulled it out for her she never looked back...and each feature she noticed brough more delight. "What should I put in here?" she asked about the handlebar bag. I suggested snacks; she said "I'll make red sandwiches!" She ran her fingers through the streamers on the grips and said they sounded like music. She was very pleased to find a pink helmet to match.
I was telling a friend about it on Monday, especially the eenie-meanie selection method. I was amazed that she never even looked at the other bikes. My friend said "That's how we should be, you know. Don't agonize. Don't second-guess. No buyer's remorse...just take the plunge and trust that all is right with the universe."
Posted by Nic at June 8, 2004 05:36 PMyour friend is so right! I may have to blog about that quote...
p.s. why won't your blog remember my info when I comment?? :-(
I'm not sure why my comments thing won't remember people...if it makes you feel better, it won't remember me, either.
Greater brains than mine are trying to fix it!
Please ensure she is supervised on the trails. And you knew that comment was probably coming from me.
hln
Posted by: hln at June 9, 2004 07:33 PMAh, but as adults we know that the universe is indifferent to us, and shit happens!!
It would be better I agree, if I didnt second guess so much, though.
But,... there are no guarantees in life...the universe is not looking out for us.