Snowboarding and Motherhood
Yesterday was Big E’s birthday party. I had planned to have a small group of his friends come play in our six feet of snow, but a blizzard made driving to our house dangerous. Over a foot of snow fell yesterday, which is great for a snowboarder like me, but makes regular Mom life a bit tricky.
Snowboarding and motherhood have both been on my mind. That may seem like an odd pairing, but for me they are two great joys in my life. Snowboarding and motherhood are inseparably connected, and to explain why I need to tell you a story.
This post is the first half. Be sure to come back to read Snowboarding and Motherhood Part 2.
I Wasn’t Always a Snowboarder
When I Grow Up
Stay-at-Home Mom
Now, here I was with a great husband, steady income, and willing heart. I wanted to be a mom more than anything. But months passed. No pregnancy.
My malfunctioning body conspired against me. How could this be happening? All I ever wanted was to be a mother, but despite the research, doctor visits and romantic interludes, pregnancy eluded me.
Rebellion
Learning to Snowboard
I believed (still do) in a Hobby of the Month mentality to life. So when January rolled around I signed up for a multi-week women’s clinic at Brighton Resort in Utah. The Learn-to-Ski-and-Snowboard-month special came at the perfect time. For less than the cost of four full day lift tickets, I got four small group lessons, four lift tickets, breakfast the first day, lunch the last and the chance to progress with the same group of ladies, all of us new to the sport.
That first day I rented boots, bindings and board, met my teacher and three other classmates and headed over to the beginner area. I strapped one foot into my board, hobbled over to the magic carpet lift and felt a sense of accomplishment when I made it to the top. Then we glided down. That was the idea anyway. In reality we fell. And fell. And fell.
The three-hour lesson saw me on the snow more than on the board. Wetness soaked through the butt of my pants, my cheeks flushed with exertion every time I wrestled with the contraption I had strapped to my body. Ninja roll, balance, push up, stay steady. Learning to snowboard required muscles I never knew I even had.
We never even made it to the lift that first lesson. Even so, something about the experience won me over. I kept coming. Kept trying. Rejoiced when I made it down the bunny hill having only fallen twice.
Hobby of the Month
January’s experience of progressing from magic carpet to bunny hill got me hooked. I bought a board and helmet of my own and signed up for February’s women clinic. Then again for March.
Nobody watching those first few months would’ve considered me a natural snowboarder. My abilities were a far cry from Olympic quality, but the thrill of sliding down the snow kept me coming back. I couldn’t get enough of that heady mix of speed and danger.
Not only that, but I saw progress on this new goal I’d set. I wanted to learn to snowboard. Each lesson that goal felt closer. Learn to get on and off a chair lift. Learn to balance on the heel edge and toe edge. Learn to turn on green runs, then on blue.
Unlike my goal to be a mother, snowboarding followed the inspirational poster’s mantra. I worked hard and soon I reached my goal. I had learned to snowboard.
To Be Continued
Read Snowboarding and Motherhood Part 2 here.
The hobby of the month is an amazing idea that I’ve loved to see you follow. So proud of you, achieving your ambitions!