Empathy needs to be taught at toddler age. When it’s missing, there are consequences for everyone. This is quite a story. It is interesting how telling a story about something you feel so vividly reframes it. This is a wonderful example of what I’ve just written about in my latest post, Ways to Love Yourself. But valuable life lessons, as you say. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read and comment on Bicycles and Betrayals. This story has had a coveted space in my memory vault for many years, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to launch it into the world. I completely agree with your thoughts about empathy and the life-long consequences when it is missing. Thank you again for reading and sharing your thoughts. 💖
Great plot twist. You set us up to admire "the queen of the neighborhood" but then it all went south: she flicks up the kick stand and we watch as she walks away with the bike, showing us who she truly is.
Hello, Corwin. Thank you very much for reading and commenting on Bicycles and Betrayals. It surely did 'go south' in a hurry for my 7-year-old self. 😊 It surely did teach me some very valuable life lessons. I wish you a lovely evening. Take care! 💖
Hi Lis. Nice to "meet" you. This piece touched me in a very real way. Thank you for sharing it.
1. This made me feel...
Tender. Protective. Like I wanted to scoop up 7-year-old you and walk you home myself. The innocence, the betrayal, the heartbreak—it stirred something deeply human in me. You brought the scene to life in a way that was visceral and unforgettable.
2. This idea reminds me of...
That Maya Angelou quote: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” But also, how early betrayals can become silent teachers—offering us tools we didn’t ask for, but end up needing later. It also reminded me that the earliest scars often become the deepest blueprints for our boundaries.
3. This is something I’ll be sitting with...
The moment you described swinging with joy, only to realize your lifeline was being taken away. It’s a metaphor for so many moments in life—when what once felt safe and supportive is suddenly gone, and we have to figure out how to land, alone. Your story gave me more than nostalgia—it gave me perspective.
We would love to have you in the "Beyond Platitudes" tribe and have saved a seat for you. Subscribe (i subscribed here, of course) and then join our group chat - you will fit right in, I am sure of it. beyondplatitudes.substack.com/chat
It's great to "meet" you as well. I am overwhelmed by your incredibly thoughtful response to my story, Bicycles and Betrayals. B&B has lived largely in my mind, and I'm so grateful to have it captured in words and launched into the world. Thank you very much for taking the time to read and respond to this post. I will send you a DM regarding Beyond Platitudes.
Indeed! Thank you very much for reading and commenting on my post, Sal. I've wanted to put this story into the world for a very long time, and it feels healing to finally have done so. I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend! 💖
Empathy needs to be taught at toddler age. When it’s missing, there are consequences for everyone. This is quite a story. It is interesting how telling a story about something you feel so vividly reframes it. This is a wonderful example of what I’ve just written about in my latest post, Ways to Love Yourself. But valuable life lessons, as you say. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read and comment on Bicycles and Betrayals. This story has had a coveted space in my memory vault for many years, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to launch it into the world. I completely agree with your thoughts about empathy and the life-long consequences when it is missing. Thank you again for reading and sharing your thoughts. 💖
Great plot twist. You set us up to admire "the queen of the neighborhood" but then it all went south: she flicks up the kick stand and we watch as she walks away with the bike, showing us who she truly is.
Hello, Corwin. Thank you very much for reading and commenting on Bicycles and Betrayals. It surely did 'go south' in a hurry for my 7-year-old self. 😊 It surely did teach me some very valuable life lessons. I wish you a lovely evening. Take care! 💖
Hi Lis. Nice to "meet" you. This piece touched me in a very real way. Thank you for sharing it.
1. This made me feel...
Tender. Protective. Like I wanted to scoop up 7-year-old you and walk you home myself. The innocence, the betrayal, the heartbreak—it stirred something deeply human in me. You brought the scene to life in a way that was visceral and unforgettable.
2. This idea reminds me of...
That Maya Angelou quote: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” But also, how early betrayals can become silent teachers—offering us tools we didn’t ask for, but end up needing later. It also reminded me that the earliest scars often become the deepest blueprints for our boundaries.
3. This is something I’ll be sitting with...
The moment you described swinging with joy, only to realize your lifeline was being taken away. It’s a metaphor for so many moments in life—when what once felt safe and supportive is suddenly gone, and we have to figure out how to land, alone. Your story gave me more than nostalgia—it gave me perspective.
We would love to have you in the "Beyond Platitudes" tribe and have saved a seat for you. Subscribe (i subscribed here, of course) and then join our group chat - you will fit right in, I am sure of it. beyondplatitudes.substack.com/chat
Hello, Matt.
It's great to "meet" you as well. I am overwhelmed by your incredibly thoughtful response to my story, Bicycles and Betrayals. B&B has lived largely in my mind, and I'm so grateful to have it captured in words and launched into the world. Thank you very much for taking the time to read and respond to this post. I will send you a DM regarding Beyond Platitudes.
Those early life lessons can be so painful. Some stay with us, but luckily, many also just get put aside as a lesson without the scars.
Indeed! Thank you very much for reading and commenting on my post, Sal. I've wanted to put this story into the world for a very long time, and it feels healing to finally have done so. I hope you enjoyed a lovely weekend! 💖