Greater If left Unbridled

It’s hard to take off the training wheels
When they’ve been supporting the bike for so long.
It’s hard to see the bike wobble and sway,
Hoping nothing goes terribly wrong.

But if the training wheels never come off,
The bike will never truly be free,
To swerve and glide, skid and ride,
Just how it was meant to be.

Even though it would be safer and secure,
The ride would be rigid and not as thrilling.
Even though it would be harder to fall,
The journey would be less fulfilling.

So, don’t be afraid to take off the wheels
That have kept the bike safe but stifled.
For the joy and the growth and the freedom it brings
Will be greater if left unbridled.

Soon you will see, as the miles go by,
The accomplishment will be unrivaled.

As parents or mentors, it is hard at each stage of a child’s life to let go and allow them to make mistakes, take control, and essentially sink or swim. Especially when they are reaching adulthood. But as hard as it is, we have to remember that if we have trained them right, we can let go with confidence, praying that they will take off and soar. There might be a few scrapes and near mishaps along the journey, but this is how we all learn and grow.