I recently read a quote on a billboard that said, “The root of joy is gratefulness.” I looked up the quote and learned that David Steindl-Rast was the one who said this. Not sure why I have never seen or heard this quote until now but I’m so glad to know about it now. No wonder I don’t ever think being grateful is a chore. The more I’m grateful the more I am filled with joy. Makes a lot of sense.

I’m going to take this new-found theory and apply it to my current situation:

One of my besties, Reena, was coming to Colorado for a ski trip at Beaver Creek. We were trying to coordinate meeting up before or after her trip because Denver is only two hours away. When we failed to come up with a date/time that worked, she made some comment that she wished I could come to Beaver Creek. My initial reaction was - No way. I’m not driving two hours. But then I put it into perspective, I drive a minimum of two hours every day during the school days. And besides, this is Reena, my good friend, she is worth it! So I started to plan a trip to the mountains.

Since we know some friends who frequently drive to Vail (which is less than two hours away) for day trips, I mentioned to Reena that I would come up for the day to see her. Her reaction was, “It’s not worth driving 2 hours if you’re not going to ski.” Ugh. I wanted to see Reena but I didn’t want to ski. And even if I did ski, I didn’t want to spend the night because what would I do with Grady and my son?

After letting what Reena said marinate in my brain for a bit, I decided to send Grady to spend the night with his favorite person (besides me), our dog walker/sitter, Jessica. Then all I needed to do was take care of my son. I let that marinate in my brain for another day. Then it hit me, I would bring my son along with me so he can learn how to ski too.

My son was not thrilled. In fact, when he found out that he would be missing the Avalanche vs. Oilers game, the team Connor McDavid is on, the game that most of his hockey team was going to, he was down right mad that he had to go to Beaver Creek. This trip was going to be a battle and I was starting to regret making plans with Reena.

When we landed back in Denver, after a wonderful trip to MPLS, my son said, “Great, tomorrow we have to get into a car for a two hour drive to the mountains.” That statement pushed the buttons for me and I went into a tizzy. How can he ruin one great trip by saying this about another? I made the decision that I was going to make him come with me no matter what. This morning I packed for him (which wasn’t really packing since his backpack was still packed from MPLS) and I loaded up the car. Then when everything was ready, I just told him to get into the car. There was a lot of huffing and puffing but since he had no choice, he got into the car.

On the drive to the mountains, it occurred to me, it’s hard to be excited about something if we don’t know much about it. I had a mind shift: I shouldn’t be mad at my son for not wanting to go on this trip. Instead, I needed to meet him where he was. This trip to the mountains was more than just a visit with friends, this was about me doing something out of my comfort level. My son was literally and figuratively coming along for the ride. Driving two hours to somewhere that I haven’t been is one thing but skiing is something I haven’t done for over 40 years. I dabbled in snowboarding in my early twenties but skiing was decades ago. My son had never skied before either; he too, was a snowboarder 6 or 7 years ago. I understood why he was not excited. Heck, I wasn’t either!

To me, skiing is A LOT of work. There is just too many things one has to do prior to and after going down the fresh powdery mountain. I’m missing a few steps because I haven’t been on a mountain in a long time but this is what I remember:

1. Find the time to go skiing. Whether the venue is local or not, first and foremost is finding the time to go. In our family, weekends are busier than weekdays when hockey season and Nutcracker season are combined with the holidays.

2. Figure out which mountain to ski.

3. Find lodging and book lodging close to the mountain.

4. Fly or drive to the destination.

5. Get equipment ready to go - A. renting equipment means getting fitted and picking up the equipment B. if you have your own - tune it up, wax, sharpen etc.

   The basic equipment consists of: helmet, goggles, gloves, poles, boots and skis or snowboard.

6. Obtain ski lift tickets or ski passes.

7. Dress appropriately in ski apparel - this means acquiring all the necessary pieces of clothing - gator or scarf, long underwear, sweater, ski pants, socks, gloves, jacket (not too thick and not too thin depending on the weather conditions - wet snow, warm, freezing etc.)

8. Transport all the equipment and ourselves to the mountain.

9. Once there, put on all of the equipment.

10. Take lessons or ski. **At this point, this is the moment that all of the cumulative work makes it worth it.**

11. Eat and drink - stay hydrated.

12. Find a safe spot to leave your skis or snowboard because going to the bathroom with all of this snow gear is NOT easy but obviously has to get done.

13. Once finished skiing, all of the equipment is taken off.

14. All of the equipment is carried back to: A. return to the rental venue or B. back to a condo or hotel

15. Take off all the ski clothes to: A. hang them somewhere to dry B. throw them in the washer to do a load of laundry or C. put them away for another day.

16. Eat and drink - stay hydrated or choose drinks that will NOT keep you hydrated.

When we break it down like that, of course I am not going to be excited to go skiing. Skiing is more work than I can handle. Plus there are so many items to keep track of. But as with any life sport, I know that work has to be part of the process. Golf, tennis, skiing. All sports that can be enjoyed well into old age and the reason is because of the layers of experience and work that goes into it. So I decided to apply David Steindl-Rast’s “Gratefulness” theory to each step above in hopes to have joy while on my ski trip. I will say, this trip has been much better than I anticipated. We’re only up to step #5 but I am fully aware of how grateful I am.

I am grateful that the timing that my son and I could go to the mountains was when my friend Reena would be there too. Taking care of step #1 and #2 with one stone. I am grateful that we had so many Marriott points that we are able to stay in a great hotel without being effected by the Spring Break rate increase. I am grateful that I drive a beast of a car because the weather when we were driving was a little iffy but I felt safe in my car. I am very grateful that Reena and her husband Paul Jackson were there for my son and I as we navigated and acquired all of the equipment that we need in order to ski.

As a thoughtful pinch to the Jacksons, I picked up the tab for dinner at the Dusty Boot because I am just so grateful that Paul will teach us how to ski, they helped us with all the equipment, they have a parking spot for my beast of a car and they showed us around Beaver Creek Village. Dinner is the least I can do when I feel so much joy knowing that all of this could have been A LOT harder if we didn’t have their help.

Pinches,

Barb