PASS THE TORCH (old site -- visit new site at 2passthetorch.com)

Friday, August 04, 2006

Personal Power

"Dad, I want to try to ski today," says the seven-year-old who's never skied.

"Me too," says the nine-year-old who did once last summer, but started on shore with the loving and physical support of our friend Bridget.

"But Mom has to be in the boat with me. You'll have to get up on your own," says Dad.

"We can do it."

So we load the boat, with skis that look longer than our kids are tall. At the quietest spot on the lake, each takes a turn.

The chilly lake entry.

The frustrated whine that those darn skis have minds of their own.

The repeated circle of the boat after losing the rope. And the splashing wake that follows.

The gentle rise of the skis that means they're finally pointing up and the rope's tight.

"GO!" says Mom.

The growl of the motor. Plowing water for an eternal split second. Then falling.

"STOP!" says Mom.

Again with all the rigamoral of a novice skier.

Then finally, with the grace of a loon, the surprise of a Price is Right contestant, and smiles as broad as Montana, they ski.

Mom cries.

Success, after frustration and failure, breeds personal power.




















Please remember to email me your Pass the Torch Award posts by Sunday. I look forward to reading them all! For more ideas about posts that illustrate youth empowerment and responsibility, please read all my posts from this week. I've also linked to those who have entered the contest so far. I look forward to reading more of your entries!



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8 Comments:

  • Oh! This brings up such warm memories for me. Learning to ski (while my dad learned to drive the new ski boat) was both challenging and blissful! I remember the first time I popped up--and stayed up!

    I don't think I stopped grinning for days! Such a victory!

    By Blogger Kukka-Maria, At 12:59 PM  

  • It is a great feeling - one I'm sure they won't soon forget either!

    Thanks for commenting!

    By Blogger Kelly Curtis, At 1:23 PM  

  • I was 40 years old before I ever even tried it... and I didn't look as good as these guys do! ~ jb///

    By Blogger LZ Blogger, At 8:56 PM  

  • LOL - kids are made out of rubber, you know;) They can do stuff grown-ups can't!

    By Blogger Kelly Curtis, At 9:09 PM  

  • hehehe i'm happy for the success :)

    By Blogger Lilize, At 3:39 PM  

  • My hubby is the water bug in our family... and so the girls learned to ski and tube and enjoy.

    We have some pictures somewhere like that of skinny little legs - and big eye expressions.

    Thanks for the memories.

    By Blogger Pamela, At 8:54 PM  

  • How exciting!

    By Blogger Chilihead2, At 3:54 PM  

  • Waterskiing is exhilerating in itself. But for kids, it's like landing on the moon!

    By Blogger Kelly Curtis, At 12:23 AM  

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