*warm fuzzy feelings*
I love older skaters. It's just so nice to have them skating with you when you're so used to the young'uns flitting around and trying crazy jumps and spins. The adults are not out there because their moms are sitting by the boards expecting them to land their jumps; they're not out there because their coaches are making them do competitions; they're not out there because they want to go to the Olympics. They're out there because they love it. It's so easy to forget that.No class today since prof is at a conference. Since it was only a one-time deal, I figured I might as well traipse over to the rink and skate a bit. Well okay, more like traipse 2 miles to the mall and then take a bus over to the rink. Well, what a good decision because the ice was completely empty save for two advanced freestyle skaters working on spins and choreography, and two older skaters working on basic moves and ice dancing. If only the ice were a bit softer, then it would have been perfect! (Darned that cold, brittle hockey ice! I was kicking ice chips the entire time...)
The female half of the ice dancing duo, Janet, asked me if I was taking lessons (HAHAHAHI'mreallynotthatgood..) and then we fell into a conversation. She used to skate in Ice Capades, and was getting back after 37 years off. Her partner Paul (getting close to his 50th high school reunion) was a roller dancer who was just learning ice, and claimed that roller skating was a lot easier than ice skating. I have to strongly disagree, LOL.
It's so inspiring to have folks like them because you always hear of people losing sight of life after retirement, or after they get past that midlife crisis. It's assumed that once you're getting up there in age, you're not allowed to do certain things anymore. A 50-year-old learning how to skate? *GASP!*
My mom once admitted that her greatest fear of getting old was losing zest for life. Her mother is going through it - she can't find a purpose to get up every morning anymore. Mom said that that was why she was always trying to get me into extracurriculars like art and piano; so I'd have something to do when I was old and decrepit, LOL. Mom has a lot of things she'd still like to do, like gardening, making crafts, piano, etc. And my dad? Er, I suppose he'd be happy anywhere with his computer books. Right now he's getting into biotechnology, and having to relearn general biology to do it (hah! I can be useful!). But one things for certain: you won't find my parents at any ice rink anytime soon!
Anyway, Janet offered to give me a ride back to the college after I had complained about having to go through so much trouble of walking and then taking the bus. Or, rather, volunteered Paul to drive me back, haha, since it was on the way to his office. (He's the owner of the flight school at Cable Airport...you won't find my parents there either! Haha..) He was a good sport about it though. And quite the gentleman! *sighs at today's lack of chivalry among men. Although I admit it would be really weird to be subject to it 24/7..*
posted by sugarfiend @ 1:15 PM
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