I Miss my Roller Skates with a Key on a String

I did love my roller skates back in the day when roller skates had four metal wheels and a key. My new saddle oxfords were always scuffed from the clamps that fit around the toe. I learned to ride them inside our house, ruining the linoleum in the process. Then my parents moved to a house with a real sidewalk and the roller skates moved outside. My ankles were chafed from the leather strap that was buckled in the very last hole and my calves burned from riding as far from home as I possibly could and still see the chimney of our fireplace.

Young girl in Roller-skates, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, 1921. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The skates would expand so I wore them for many years, even after a big big bike appeared for my seventh birthday. It had been ordered from the Sears Roebuck catalogue just like the skates. It seemed that wheels made my life bigger and finer. I think I was the only child on the block that owned either one.

Time passed, the skates were packed away and then in the 70's my own children wore them and we listened to Melanie Safka sing her classic song I've Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates.... 

The roller skates and that beautiful, wistful song became symbols of a woman's life for me. We could live alone and travel and be whole all alone but life was not the same without someone to love and share the adventure with. I am glad I chose to marry and have children.

Somehow, now that I am old, I yearn for my roller skates with the key that I kept on a shoelace. Maybe I could hang it around my neck and see the world through a child's eyes once again. It was a glorious freedom they brought to my life. To quote the Roller Skate song "I been all around the world. Some people say I done alright for a girl..."

I wish I could lay my hands on a pair of those skates...my granddaughter would probably love them as much as I did. I want her to know that she will do just fine even though she is a girl! Her brothers are a challenge for her.

Funny isn't it how we think about that kind of thing. I suppose that is why I go to Invaluable. They have collectibles up for auction on their website. I will need to check and see if their have my favorite pair of roller skates soon.

But I really don't ever want to go back...not ever. That is why it is good to write and talk about what once was so we can relive the adventure. Then we can buy a pair of roller blades and race on down the street.

Have a wonderful day.

b+

Published on Jul 16, 2013

I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I roller skated to your door at daylight
It almost seems like you're avoiding me
I'm OK alone but you've got something I need, well

Refrain:
I've got a brand new pair of roller skates
You've got a brand new key
I think that we should get together and
Try them on to see
I been lookin' around awhile
You got something for me
Oh, I got a brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far
For somebody who don't drive, I been all around the world
Some people say I done all right for a girl

I asked your mother if you were at home
She said yes, but you weren't alone
Oh, sometimes I think that you're avoiding me
I'm OK alone but you got something I need, well

Refrain

• Category

  • Music

• License

  • Standard YouTube License