Recapping Winter: Skiing

I'll start this post by thanking our dear friend Jason. He provided us complimentary memberships that allowed for unlimited skiing this winter at the Otsego Club. Our heartfelt thanks Jason. We took full advantage of your gift.


Last year, we made it--as a family--to the ski slopes a half dozen Sunday's. This year, G ski'd a minimum of twice a week--sometimes three times a week. He and his Dad ski'd most Wednesday evenings; G and Mom ski'd Thursday evenings. And we all went at least once per weekend--every weekend but one. Needless to say, G loves the slopes.

Particulary through the terrain park. "Did you see me get air on that one?" became his favorite refrain. In one instance, he inadvertantly ended up skating along a picnic table bench. I'm sure he meant to jump off the side of its ramp, but somehow cleared the top of the ramp and found himself skiing the bench. He dropped neatly off the end of the bench and kept going. Then turned his stunned expression my way, clearly wondering if he was going to be in trouble. "Next time, turn your skis sideways," I shouted. And he did. And the next time and the next time. Until he wiped out and decided he'd save that trick for another time.

In this, I'll say that G is NOT fearless. Never has been. He is a cautious kid. But he is also confident. As it was his Dad that taught him to ski, I'll also say that here is yet another example of how naturally Paul gives G the tools and the confidence to succeed. In these moments, they share a mutual trust that transcends stubbornness and impatience--on both their parts. The result is a beautiful thing.

Conversely, I have to work doubly hard not to impart my own LACK of confidence to G. On the chairlift for example. We did ok overall, sharing lots of giggles and even a few math problems on the ride up; but I'll admit to more than one nightmare about it. This and bridges--I'm not likely to get over either one. Which means G will be able to count these as lessons in accepting others--quirks and all. It also means that he'll forever imagine his maternal grandfather as a scaredy-cat--because that's where I come by it and G's been privy to every muttered reference to that legacy.

Early in G's ski season, I penned the tale of our first trip to the slopes together, sans Dad. I'll follow up this entry with a copy to G's blog. There are some Murphy's Law laughs in that story.

To cap a great season, G enjoyed two ski playdates. On the first, he took advantage of a school snowday and joined friend D at D's ski resort. And yup, he rode the chairlift without an adult. See what he can do without his irrationally fearful Mom around? What a great day he had, and so grown up. I noticed he was trying to carry himself like a teenager when I picked him up that day. Shrugging off the day's excitement like it was no big thing. Then passing out on the couch when we arrived home.

G returned the favor the following weekend, inviting friend D to ski with us at the club. Perfect weather, perfect conditions, and D was jumping through the terrain park by day's end. These two go way back...pretty much to four and ten months old. And they are night and day different in both demeanor and interests. But their connection remains, instantly recognized by each and easily assimilated--despite academic or development advances, different schools and those varied interests. Interesting to watch what is probably the closest thing G has to a sibling relationship. And warming...on this particular day, we ended with dinner and a sleepover. And just before I turned out the light, they took turns reading books to one another. Reading their own bedtime stories. Not sure if that's a moment or a milestone, but I tucked it away in my heart for safekeeping.