Christmas 1991

My parents were younger than I imagined they ever were.

My dad still had to go to work later that night.

My mom had a camcorder

I had red footie pajamas.

I was 3 years old and received my favorite gift of all time.

It was a Batman Bike. Gray, black, and light blue, it caught my attention the way an expert angler could catch a goldfish from the aquarium at Wal-Mart. Effortlessly. Inescapably. Ultimately. With a few bows lovingly placed on its frame and a long strip of computer paper strung across it with the name "Marlon" clearly written, in it, I saw my destiny. I steadily walked toward it without feeling my legs moving, only seeing Batman Bike filling more and more of my field of vision. As is the customary ritual of claiming one's Christmas prize, I stripped it free of all it's papers, dressings and wrappings leaving it pure. Questions were asked for the sake of the camera and I answered just enough to get back to my business, but in truth, at that moment, there was nothing else. Just Batman Bike. There was a black shield on the front in between the handlebars with a large bat symbol, the black tires had a red ring on each inner edge. Covering the spokes were blue plates with large images of Batman in action poses and the word "Batmobile". There was a cloth sleeve on the bar connecting the seat to the handlebars that had varios villain pictures on it and the paint, plastic, metal and rubber came together to create the semi-sweet aroma of paradise. It was the most beautiful piece of assembly-required machinery ever conceived by sentient beings and I believe God created the universe just so one day this mode of children's transportation could be built by man.

I have no memory of any other presents received that year. Those memories weren't important.

My dad spent a considerable amount of time and effort putting it together.

The next day I awkwardly rode Batman Bike (with training wheels) while dressed as a cowboy (guns and holsters included).

The day after that I was hospitalized for asthma-related complications and released within a week.

Some time between 1992 and 1993 Batman Bike was stolen. Of course, I cried.

My mom drove around with me looking for, and probably ready to fight, any kid riding the same bike. None were found.

I never forgot Batman Bike.

-home movies from 19 years ago.