We skied Camp Sagawau today. Ever since his brother came back from a weekend with Grandma where they cross-country skied, the other brother has been eager to try.
If he fell down once today, he fell 20 times. And each time, with a grin as broad as a new moon, he bounced back to his feet.
A woman in yellow-accented ski clothing saw my grandson at his one unhappy moment when the glove lining wouldn’t go back into the finger places. While I worked on his glove, he sat on the snow surrounded by skis and poles.
She sized up the situation and assumed he didn’t know how to get up. Striking up a friendly conversation, she offered to show him how to get up. She grabbed his full attention when she flopped down face first in the snow, “Whoops, I fell.” She then proceeded to show him step by step how to get back up, “Like a puppy, use all four feet!”
When she turned around to see how he was taking all this instruction, he had forgotten his annoyance with the glove, was already standing upright on his skis and grinning widely.
“Oh, look at that!” She exclaimed good naturedly at his quick success. “I’m outta here!”
Later a woman sprawled helplessly across a small upgrade. A young man below her was quietly offering good advice on how to get back up. Eventually she got her skis off and walked up – with a smile. The guy greeted me by name. It was Ben, a member of my Interfaith group!
This woman was a stranger -- not just blocking the hill, but in need; and Ben followed through, waiting till she had her skis back on at the top. We chatted briefly and he glided on ahead. About half an hour later, he was helping a mom and her small daughter get into their bindings at the trailhead. What a sweet guy!
These strangers, to the people they helped, were angels in cross-country ski garb. They saw a need and were there to help. I am continually grateful to the woman who befriended my grandson; and I will certainly think of Ben with new respect for how he lives his faith.
“We see eye to eye and know as we are known,
reciprocate kindness and work wisely,
in proportion as we love.”
Mary Baker Eddy
1 comment:
i love it that the boys are joining you skiing!
Nice post!
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