I looked at my white ice-skates and wondered whether my body still remembered how to ice-skate. Last time I put the skates on was two years ago.
I took off my one boot, pulled on a woollen sock and pushed my foot into the ice-skate, and tried my best to tie the skate. It wasn't as tight and pretty as in childhood, but tight enough, and pretty wasn't the aim anyway. I did the same with the other skate. I kept sitting.
I looked as the students in their rented orange skates went on ice, some boldly sprinting off, some slow and steady, and some holding on to a supportive frame.
"You can do it!" I cheered myself under my breath, stood up, walked to the rink, stepped in and then slowly started skating. My body remembered! Ice-skating made me feel like a child.
The only other teacher on the ice was my dear friend and colleague. Together we are 101 years old, on skates merely 11.
What a beautifully succinct (yet packed) slice! I love the last line of your combined age, "on skates merely 11." Well written!
ReplyDeleteJust like riding a bike. The body remembers how and off you go. Sounds like you and your friend had lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteYay! I love that you ventured out and got to remember what you thought maybe your body had forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading the post from two years ago. Oh...merely 11!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way when I get on roller skates...now ice skates, that's a brave decision! I've never been able to balance well on them. It looks like you had a really fun time!
ReplyDeleteIce skating is the best. I still have my white skates that I got 25 years ago! I hope you enjoy many more years of skating!
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