Earth Day

On this day, we made resolutions, poems and a bike trek to school, all to honor our Earth. The bike ride with Will & Clara was memorable. I've made this ride with them many times pulling them in the burley or a trailer or a seat. But this was their first time to do their own pedaling, the whole way. When I wasn't stressing out about time (would we get there before school is out?), it was quite a magical 1, almost 2 hour ride. Here are some highlights:

• Will led the pack, Clara rode in the middle, and I trailed in the back. Will rode ahead, stopping often with a sweet smile and wave to say he was waiting, much like the smile and wave he gave us from the stage the night before during his 2nd grade play.
• Clara fell and got lots of dirt in her mouth, but didn't seem to mind. It was all about keeping up with Will.
• It rained during the night, we dodged lots of worms. Thus the dirt in Clara's mouth.
• Clara's helmet itched her head a lot. She claimed it was allergies.
• About 1/2 mile in, Will desperately wanted to retrieve his forgotten gloves that we'd talked about bringing all morning.
• On Boulder Creek, Will parked his bike to take a little hike. Clara desperately followed, both oblivious to time.
• Clara looked so little. Will too, really. Her little feet sped around so fast on her gearless bike. She hunched forward, low to the ground, but standing up on the hills, fearless.

At school, they crowded in and signed the "Biked to School" poster, their names so little and cute among the other do-gooders. Then all too quickly, they joined the masses, filing in towards their classrooms. Though I have two others waiting for me with Jeff in the car, I hate to see them go... But I feel thankful. And happy. I had them to myself in the early morning hour, riding through back trails of our town, looking at worms and puddles and rivers, pedaling fast in the chilly air, feeling love for life on our beautiful planet Earth.