I have always wanted to tell the world about my stepfather Fred and how much of a difference his kindness and love makes in the world.  He has shown me so many things about love, but above all, his compassion and understanding for others has left a mark upon my heart and the hearts of so many others.

Unlike most other kids, when my son Sebastien was about 10, he still had not learned to ride a bicycle.  His friends and the neighbourhood kids would ride by on their bikes but he didn't even want to try.  Realizing how much fun he was missing out on, this greatly bothered my stepfather Fred (his grandfather), who concluded that Sebastien was afraid of learning to ride because he thought that he might fail at it.  I think this reminded Fred of his own experience as a boy, and it touched him deeply.  After trying several times to encourage my son, he also realized that Sebastien felt that he was too old to learn, as he would see much smaller children riding around without a care in the world. 

So, on one day, without telling anyone, Grandpa Fred went off to the library and searched for books on ways to teach and learn riding a bicycle stress-free.  Afterwards he came by and took Sebastien over to the nearby empty parking lot and with patience and great love, began to teach him to ride his bike.

About two hours later, as I began to wonder if everything was alright, I saw from a distance my son Sebastien barrelling down the sidewalk, riding his bike with the biggest and most beautiful grin on his face.  I’ll never forget his smile and the glimmer in his eyes on that day, and I doubt he will either.  He was so proud of himself!

Grandpa Fred always believed in me too, and this love that he shared changed my world.  It is simple acts of kindness like these that make all of the difference!