The Orange Flag

So I know this blog is supposed to be about my kids, but they have not been very inspiring lately so here is another story from my childhood.

I am pretty sure I had the most protective parents EVER when I was growing up. If I wanted to do something but there was the slightest chance I might get hurt, there was no way my parents would let me do it. They pretty much stomped any adventurous side I had to the ground, which is why I am probably the least adventurous person ever. White is a daring color for me. And me being the obedient child that I was would never do anything my parents said not to do. Although there was that one time when I was at my grandparents house. My mom wasn't there and my cousin wanted to go to the store, WITHOUT ANY ADULTS. And we had to cross the street to get there. I rebelled. We crossed the busy street and went to the Plaid Pantry. I was so afraid when my mom came to pick me up that it would somehow come out that I went to the store with my cousin. I felt guilt for many years every time I saw a Plaid Pantry. It was just a few years ago that I fessed up to my mom what I had done. Of course we laugh about it now, but if I had to do it over again I would have stayed at the house. So not worth the self imposed guilt. But I digress.

As parents we know that there are some things that you just have to let your children do even though they might have some risk involved, one of these things is riding a bike. This is something that was not taken lightly in my house. Before I could ride the bike I had to have the proper equipment and safety training. First, was the bicycle safety video. Yes, my friends, there is such a thing and I pretty much have it memorized to this day. The video had kids on it singing different songs that teach you bicycle safety. To this day I can't cross the street without first singing,
"You gotta stop, stop, look all about. Wait til the road's clear and then move out."

The next step of the bicycle safety was the helmet, of course. Gotta keep my brain safe. This is one of the reasons I don't ride a bike today. I don't want helmet hair, but it has been so ingrained in me that if I don't wear a helmet while riding my bike I will surely crash and die, that I am afraid to ride without one. I will just avoid the whole thing and walk or better yet, drive.

So, we have the bicycle safety video, the helmet, the reflective clothing, the bell to warn cars that there is a small bicyclist around; I thought I was good to go. Then one day "it" arrived. "Gee mom, what is the giant orange flag for? You gonna put it in the back yard or something?" "Why no Amy, we are going to strap this 10 foot tall orange flag to the back of your bike." Well if that won't make your friends laugh at you nothing will. Yes, everyone one in the next county could see that little Amy was riding her bike around. I am sure you could see it from space. And yes, my friends did make fun of me. It kinda took the joy out of riding my bike.

The orange flag is still a tender subject. Anytime I bring it up to my parents they say, "well, you're alive aren't you?" Yes, I am a live. I may be a little emotionally scarred and I my eye might start twitching at the sight of orange flags, but yes, I am still alive. Although they never made my brother or sister ride with an orange flag on their bike and they are still alive. Hmmm. Explain that one Mom. I guess I should just be happy that they cared about me so much, or maybe they really just liked laughing at me and my orange flag.