To the person who stole my bicycle

The great news about this story is that I found my bike immediately after coming up with the idea to write this.

To the person who stole my bike:

I am upset. Don’t get me wrong. I’m devastated. I ride my bike everywhere. It is my main form of transportation, but it has grown to mean much more to me than that.

I want to say a formal goodbye to my bike by wishing you well. You have just received a marvelous hunk of metal, and I don’t think you realize that quite yet.

That’s what I’m here to tell you. My bike is a champion, as you’ll soon see.

I hope you take it on rides every day, because that’s what it’s used to.

I hope you take your frustrations out on the road, calling on the bike after you’ve had a long day, or after you’ve had a big meal.

I hope you will love this bike, as I have before you.

I hope you take this bike places — really cool places — though it is used to the mundane landmarks, like parks and the grocery store.

I hope you go far. Or near. Whichever. This bike can do both. Whether it’s a longer trip (like the almost 34 miles I rode between my hometown and the closest city) or just a short ride down the road to the bank.

I hope you feel the breeze through your hair as you coast down a hill — but remember, the rear brakes don’t really work anymore.

I hope you realize how sturdy the handle bars are. I hope you realize it can bear the weight of farmer’s market eggs, a suitcase, office supplies, and a backpack.

I hope you realize these handle bars hold you up, too.

I hope, with this bike, you will learn to love your body and the things it can do for you, starting with your strong legs, where all the power comes from. This is the biggest blessing my bike gave me.

I hope, as you’re biking, that you’ll stop and take a second to appreciate the great outdoors every once in a while.

I hope that you’ll take this bike out at night, when you’ve had enough.

I hope this bike eases your panic attacks, like it has helped with mine.

I hope this bike teaches you how to save your own life, in more ways than one.

I hope my bike brings you peace.