Well, I decided to take a lesson again when we go skiing on Saturday.  I was able to get a decent rate on ticket/ski rental/half day group lesson (which is plenty).  I am happy on several levels, because I’m still a little nervous after my Tahoe spill a few years back plus I understand that Colorado skiing takes some getting used to.  Powder?  What’s that?  Joe who only snowboarded once in Tahoe on that fateful day two years ago – my excuse for wrecking my knee was that the conditions were less than optimal, which was actually a valid excuse –  tells me all he knows about Colorado is it’s soft when he falls.

I’m also happy because we are going with one of Joe’s buddies and I hated to think of Joe having to worry or feel guilty about me skiing alone, although this is not much of an issue for me, once you’re off the lift it’s a solo sport.  However he’s a nice man, and I’m sure it was in the back of his mind “what if Mom slows me down…”

Then it occurred to me that, already, the shift is happening.  Not that we went skiing when the kids were little, but the only option would have been morning ski school for the boys so we could have a morning of skiing before breaking our back assisting them off the chair lift at the top of the mountain.  Now here I am, going off to ski school for the morning so Joe can enjoy a free morning of skiing.  I know it’s not quite the same, and I certainly won’t be sobbing as he goes off while I go off with the ski instructor.  Funny how life perspective changes.  Years ago I would have been mortified to be with one of those hot young ski instructors while I klutzed along on my skis.  Now it’s a pure delight to watch them demonstrate a perfect turn and have them tell me “yeah, my mom says the same thing, I should make sure I finish school….” while we’re riding up the lift.  They’re still hot, but more in a kind of “oh for heaven’s sake he’s adorable” kind of way.

My concern that I will be needing to purchase an extra plane ticket for my long leg cast is also diminished with the idea of having a lesson, so all is well.