I didn’t have a dad growing up. Mom raised me, for the most part.

Today’s story is from Jason Fields.

I did have an uncle. His name was Greg. Uncle Greg taught me something special about me. It was 1981, another bleak, freezing Cincinnati winter.

The ‘Panther’

My name is Jason. I was 5 at the time. The memory is vivid, even today. Standing in the Cincinnati Kmart.

Longingly gazing at the most beautiful thing I had ever seen…a jet-black Huffy “Panther” BMX bicycle.

Chrome spokes, riding pegs, trick handlebars, and “panther claw” grips! My heart pounded at the thought of riding this powerful steed.   

But then came the fear — no training wheels. My friend Gatsby was already riding without ‘em. He’d taken a nasty spill the week before. Scraped knee. Bloody shin. Tears. “Not for me!” But the thought of furiously screaming around corners consumed me. A Panther for Christmas! It would be mine.

As big day approached, fear overwhelmed. I regretted my passionate plea to Santa just a month before. I needed an escape! Quick, write Santa. Change my order to Legos this year. Yep, Legos. Safe play.

Uncle Greg flew back from Phoenix for Christmas that year. I think Mom ratted me out.

“So, Jason, I hear you want Legos instead of the Panther?”

I couldn’t show fear, not with Uncle Greg. “Oh, I already have a bike, Greg. But, I really need more Legos…” Quick thinking, I thought. Greg raised an eyebrow, smiled, and said, “Well, I hope Santa comes through.” Threw him off. Good job, I thought.

Christmas morning. The truth? I hated myself. Coward was me. Gatsby would be zipping around. I’d still be in “training,” creeping along.

Breakfast casserole. Baileys & coffee this one day of the year. Time for presents. Yep, there they were. Legos, wrapped in a box. Disappointed with me, I trudged up the stairs. Soon, Gatsby would call, wanting to ride. My head in my pillow, I started to cry.

“Jason, come down here,” Greg yelled from below. “I need help in the barn.”

I slowly walked down the stairs…and there, in front of the fire, angled just so, leaning on its stand, black paint glistening — The Panther. Dumbfounded, I looked around. Big, beaming smiles everywhere, and then I broke down. “No!” I said, “I’ll crash. I’ll rip off my skin. I’ll be covered with blood.”

All faces went straight. I raced up the stairs. My pillow was warm and wet from before. I sobbed so hard my ribs about cracked. Then, a knock at the door. It was Uncle Greg. “Can I come in?” he asked. “I don’t care,” I sniffed.

“Jason, it’s time to tell you a family secret.”

I was intrigued. I turned and peeked up at Greg. “We have something called ‘special skin.’ Did you know?” I shook my head, “No.”

“Our family has a special type of skin. When we’re injured, it only hurts half as bad. And, it heals twice as fast.”

Could this be? A family secret? Why hadn’t someone told me?

“Jason, you will probably fall. When you do, remember, you have special skin. It won’t hurt that bad.”

Soon, Uncle Greg was watching me do figure 8’s on that Panther. Did I fall? Yes. But it only hurt half as bad.

We aren’t born brave. Courage is learned. Fear is a liar. Worry is waste.

All kids have special skin. Let them know.

Jason (center), with cousins Casey (left), Corey (right)