I wasn’t allowed to start it. But that never stopped me from riding. My legs weren’t long enough yet to straddle the seat. I folded them underneath me, which also offered the height I needed to reach the handle bars. Bundled with at least two pairs of snow pants, I couldn’t feel the snow that had collected on the heels of my boots. If I knew the words for throttle and brake, I didn’t understand them. I squeezed both frantically at the same time with a woolened tenderness. The faux fur that encircled my face prevented me from seeing Norton’s house, but as the anchor to Van Dyke Road, I always knew it was there. The two strings that secured my hat, were balled in the same fur, and tucked inside my coat’s collar. I could feel them vibrate as I made the whirring sound for speed in the motionless snow. 

I don’t know how long I spent on the Ski-doo. Perhaps it wasn’t even as long as it took to bundle. Winter outings at 5 years old rarely were. I mention it as a reminder. Glenda the good witch in the Wizard of Oz was right, “You’ve always had the power, my Dear…” I tell myself this as I set out for the day. I smile and hear the whir from within. Today is beginning — Let’s ride!!!