Three Generation Bike Ride

Friday, July 03, 2009

Three Generation Bike Ride

After dinner on Father's Day, we spent some time at Andrew's brother's house. Ammon, Andrew and Derrick (Andy's dad) decided to bike there. Having a five year old join the 4+ mile bike ride was much more complicated than anticipated. There was the difficulty of getting the shoes, bike and helmet all out for Ammon (the ride really needed to get started for them to be there on time). Then there was the MAJOR issue of 2-year-old brother wanting to join the fun. Not happening! But I decided to follow Peter down the street and let him ride to the corner. Derrick started off, then Ammon, then Andy. They were in the street. Peter and I stayed on the sidewalk. Suddenly, I looked up to see Ammon crashed in the middle of the road. And then, before anyone could stop it, Andrew's tire was on his head!

Andrew literally rode over Ammon's little noggin. It was frightening to see - one of those slow motion moments.

Ammon was screaming and I ran to him as quickly as possible. Andrew was similtaneously caring for Ammon and looking at me in panic saying, "Did you see that! I just ran over his head!!!" We got Ammon to the side of the road, still trying to figure out if his head was hurt. We quickly realized that all of his screaming was actually due to a simple skinned knee. In fact, he was completely oblivious to the fact that his head had been trampled on. Yay for the helmet! It definitely did it's job!

At this point, we loaded up Peter into the car, and the three other Shadel men began their trek on the bikes. I kept parking just ahead of them in case Ammon needed me to pick him up. But that boy just kept going. I waited for him at various locations along the way, but he never even seemed to consider the option of getting into the car. Finally, over a mile later, he told Andrew that he was done. I was nearby, and met them at the South Jordan city post office.

Peter, Ammon and I drove the rest of the way, and Andrew finished his bike ride with his dad. I can't think of anything he would have enjoyed more for Father's Day.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.