Radio Flyer

I remember my Radio Flyer. It could be anything I could imagine. Sometimes it was a big truck. Sometimes it was a ship. If I scooted it backwards with the handle behind me like a tiller, it became a road roller. And if I tied the handle to my sister's Radio Flyer trike, it was a trailer.

My Mom would use the Radio Flyer to transport plants around the yard. It carried dirt, fertilizer, weeds and grass clippings. My Dad showed me how to keep the wheels oiled and let me use some of his Simonize Wax to keep the Radio Flyer shiny.

Our cat, Tilly, would relent once in a great while, and let us pull her around the yard. But she always had a bored look on her face. Our dog, Maggie, was always up for a ride, tongue hanging out in excitement.

But most of the time it was just a Radio Flyer wagon. And my sister and I would take turns pulling each other around in the uncomplicated innocence of youth.

I don't think you ever outgrow your yearning for a Radio Flyer!