Ice Skating

Nobody really talks about it
But I think we all feel it
Maybe some more than others
Maybe some years worse than others
.
That stretch between New Years and Easter
January till at least March
When life doesn’t move fast
When it takes a little more effort
.
On one -not so easy- year
One -super long- winter
When the sky seemed extra gray
I bought her a pair of double bladed skates
-Yes, they make them-
Two blades on each foot
For kid’s feet
Making it dramatically easier to learn
.
Every Sunday afternoon
We traveled to the closest town with a skating rink
Put on our gloves and hat
Wrapped a scarf around our necks
To learn
.
Aunts and uncles had taught me
On the creek
And down the lane
I barely remember their words
Their tricks
To keep your body moving upright
Forwards or backwards
Switching back and forth and in between
Avoiding trips and falls
But then one time
It just clicked
Then you didn’t have to think so much
Your body and skates
Worked together
And it was fun
.
Slowly I had to find the words
To show her how to move her feet
To keep her upright
Forwards and backwards
And switching in between
A bribe or two
A tear or two
Eventually it clicked
And it was fun
.
Afterwards
We would stop by a little pub
In a little town
About half way back
To our own little home
With rosy cheeks and bruised knees
Having used up some energy
Treating ourselves to
The weekly special
Peanut butter pie and fancy drinks
.
We made our own traditions
We gave ourselves something to look forward to
We made it through the winter months
And it was so fun.