The Hill

When I was seven years old we lived Zweibrücken Germany my dad was serving in the Army. The adventures I had living there are numerous. Sledding down the step hills avoiding the barb wire fence and making it all the way to the German side of the base.

From such a small and young perspective all the hills were mountains made for play. The thrill of rushing down those hills was my biggest game.

Not sure how I came to own a pair of skates with a key but I had a pair. So I put one skate under my butt and the other skate under my feet.. Off and sliding. The speed those skates rolled im telling you.

As so many things do this too came to an end. Because see I also had a bicycle. That hill on that bike was my daredevil dream. Faster the better. Of course no helmets or safety equipment at all. This was 1971.

The only thing I can remember was losing control of my bike. The front end wobbled. I think I hit a rock. All I know is in went down. Flew right over the handle bars and landed in my chin.

A neighbor came out she brought in I could see blood just drip drip going up the stairs. Next thing I remember is being in a doctor's office or hospital.

My chin needed to be cleaned out the chin bone was exposed. My mom say here is where she fainted.

My teeth were shattered I was spitting out teeth. I got stitches in my chin. Still have a scar to this day. Sadly to say my days of riding the hill become a distant memory.

Thankfully growing up in Germany on an Army base gave ground to lost of fun. Soon after my bicycling fiasco I discovered skis. Man oh man. These were short skis like kids ones so it was like skating.

None of this would take away the thrill of a sled. Flexible Flyers metal blades wooden frame little handles to steer it.

For Christmas one year myself my sister and brother got one. Those were the days