Overheard on... the ski slopes

“I’m master of the skis!”

A highlight of the week for me so far has been watching my daughter tackle the task of learning to ski. We are on spring break and had decided it was a great time to finally take on this challenge. But in fact, she has made it a delight…. Focus like I’ve never seen, pride at her own accomplishment, and excitement to try again. The stuff dreams are made of for a mom!

My own skiing experiences may have colored my expectations a bit. I learned to ski on the very hill I watched my daughter glide down yesterday. There were four of us in my family we were all learning at the same time. My mom
would point us at a tree, we would ski across the slope and hug the pine when we got to it and then move aside so our next sibling could join us at the tree.

On one of these criss-cross attempts my skis got tangled and I ended up in the snow. A ski came off and continued my journey down the ski hill without me. Not sure what to do, I sat there for a moment; and then, before I could say anything, a kind man came along, scooped me up onto his shoulders, and took me down to where my lost ski was. Since then, this has been my definition of a knight in shining armor. No horse for me…. Just strong arms and a pair of skis.

I’ve skied in many places since that first time… and though I love the scenery, I could do without the freezing cold toes and sore muscles. I am not a dare-devil… and it takes me a while to gather my self-confidence when I get back on skis. But as I was reminded yesterday, both by my own enjoyment of being out on the slopes and by watching my daughter practice her “pizza wedge” stops… Skiing is a unique experience which can be shared with friends and
family.

And while I may never be master of the skis…. I certainly have  conquered hot chocolate in the lodge.