Traveling Backwards

Traveling Backwards

I learned to ice skate when I was five.  We lived in Ulen, Minnesota.
It's an itty bitty speck on the border near Fargo, ND.  My mother and us five kids lived there the year my dad was in Turkey with the Army.

There was a small shallow frozen pond as I recall.  It was bumpy and there were ridges cut into it's surface from more experienced skaters.  I remember the laces on the skates were dirty and they were too big on my feet.  I got them on wearing a couple pair of thick socks to take up the extra space.  I had on a bulky coat, hat and wet mittens.  Just standing up was a monumental feat.
I stood there very still on the ridgid surface afraid to move.
Others whisked by me.  All I could manage was to move backward.
I tried to pick up my skate and promptly fell.  The surface was wet and cold getting my pants soaked all the way through.  I got on my knees and stood up again and in so doing, the tips of the blades met like I was pigeon toed.  As I got my balance again, one blade pushed out and scooted back.  Compensating with my arms wide to the side to help I traveled backward and then the other foot did the same move.  Next thing you know I'm skating backwards!

That was the same year I learned to ride my brother's bike that did not have a seat.  Somehow I believed from a dream I had that I could ride that bike.  The next morning still in my pj's I managed to do it.

I did not get to take lessons to hone any skills. I played and learned from watching others
do things that looked fun.

I think a tenacious spirit to succeed and overcome obstacles has helped me so much.  Having fun was the goal.  Not just with  these childhood feats but with dealing with some of my life's most challenging moments.

My goal is still to seek the fun in life, but now I'm able to travel forward knowing that what is behind me will cushion any fall.