A Bike

Our recent publication, The Bridge, mentioned our need for children’s bikes.  The summers you and I spent bike riding outdoors have all but disappeared.  Streets are too busy, parents are too pressed for time, and children can be found indoors watching a screen.  Rebound Families is striving to provide “simple summer” experiences for families in our community.  We are hosting a Roots Alumni Picnic in July.  We have invited the Inner-Faith Coalition families to join us as we gather together at a park while children are playing and adults can communicate.  But, back to the bike.  We are asking for bike donations in an effort to provide free bikes and bike riding lessons to local children. Tim read about our plea and contacted us.  Tim is a grandpa.  He was involved in Rebound Families when it first began in 1996 at Cornwall Church.  Tim and his wife were active volunteers at our Roots Family Enrichment Program long ago.  Tim grew older, and retired, and he and his wife still wanted to give back during the season in their lives when many leave town and traveled.  Then Covid-19 hit, and they hunkered down in their home as we all did then.  Their grandchildren’s bikes remained in their garage unused.  Tim’s wife was diagnosed with two very rare Autoimmune diseases that isolated her even more.  They no longer attend church, and they no longer volunteer publicly.  They remain home, alone.  After contacting us, Tim asked one of his grandchildren if her forgotten bike could be donated to another child to use.  She gave her permission.  Tim walked out to his garage, and began preparing the bike for use.  He cleaned up the gears, tuned the breaks, and gave it a good shine.  And now, we have the bike you see in this photo.  But, to me this story isn’t just about a bike donation.  This story is Tim’s story, and people in our community just like him.  People who want to help, but don’t know how or where at different times in their lives.  People who have stories of their own to share as they give away a piece of themselves to others.  I will record the look on a child’s face when she/he sees this bike and knows they can take it home to ride.  I want to share that picture with Tim and his wife.  Their legacy of giving, donating, reaching out, and paying it forward continues.  Thank you for the bike, and thank you for you, Tim. 

Keri Smith, Executive Director