Saturday, August 16, 2008

THE BIKEMAN

Went to dinner with Waking Up in Portland the night of Rojo's bike riding breakthrough. When we got back to my house we asked Rojo to come out and show off his skills. He beamed.

"So, she wants to see The Bikeman?" he asked me with a sideways glance over the top of his glasses.

"Yes, she wants to see The Bikeman," I answered, loving that he'd given himself a new name in the short time I'd been away.

"Okay," he continued, "The Bikeman will show her how he rides in a loop around our house. He will ride in a loop two times. Tell her The Bikeman will ride in a loop two times around our house. Tell her not to forget."

I delivered The Bikeman's message.

Rojo has only been with Waking Up in Portland a handful of times, but they have a special connection. Everyone loves Rojo, and Rojo loves everyone, true, but there are just a few people on this planet that he talks about long after they have gone home, and Waking Up in Portland is one of the lucky few.

Later that night WUIP sent Rojo this email:

Hi Bikeman,

I hope that you're off dreaming sweet dreams. I just wanted to let you know how much I LOVED -- L-O-V-E LOVED seeing you today! You are absolutely A-MAZING on that bike. You look as though you were born flying around the loop. I know that you and your mother are going to be able to have some really fun bike rides now. I can't wait to hear about your first excursion.

Thank you for your wonderful smile and for sharing your skills with me tonight. You are the rockingest bikeman on the planet!!!

Love to you,
Waking Up in Portland

The next morning I read it to Rojo as he stood over my shoulder, breathing his garlicky breath all over me. He said, "Tell her If she was me, I'd be going to hell! Make sure you tell her that!" I didn't/don't know WTF that means, but I emailed back his reply, none-the-less, making sure to let her know he said it with a huge grin.

She emailed later, and apparently that "nonsense" made total sense to her, and answered a question she'd had turning over and over in her heart, mind and soul.

That's my boy.

That's The Bikeman.

* Photo of Rojo and the GODDESS, Jenn, that taught The Bikeman how to ride a bike!

12 comments:

Michelle O'Neil said...

I love the Bikeman. I love WUIP. Both are very special. The relationship makes total sense.

Love, love, love.

Awesome picture.

Anonymous said...

Ok, so what's the whole going to hell thing about?! LMAO! That's an awesome story! Rojo looks great on that bike! Yeah For BIKEMAN!

contemporary themes said...

Awesome!

I sent you something yesterday to share with the Bikeman, even before I knew that was his name!

I may have to make a new one now.

Is that Woohoo with him?

Anonymous said...

Very proud of Rojo and his new bike riding skills.

Kapuananiokalaniakea said...

At the risk of sounding redundant...LUH-UV the Bikeman!!!
Make sure you tell him that, 'kay?!

Maddy said...

All round excellent. I love people who talk about themselves in the third person.
Best wishes to you and yours, and your well connected pal

Ms. TK said...

Oh yeah. The Bikeman.

He needs a cape.

Carrie Wilson Link said...

DM - You're right, he SO needs a cape! I'm on it!

Anonymous said...

Your son sounds like a lot of work and a sweetheart, all at the same time. I love how he tells you exactly what to say.

And congrats on his bike riding, that's wonderful.

Go Mama said...

Watch out. The Bikeman cometh!

Drama Mama said...

BTW...I can't get over where you live - it's Mayberry! How pretty!

kario said...

A summer well-spent, I'd say. Love Rojo's newfound freedom and his new friendship.