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But the real question is whether or not I would want a pair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A confession: I don\u2019t know how to skate.\u00a0 I grew up on Lake Vermilion<\/a>, tried skating 2 or 3 times \u2013 didn\u2019t really like it.\u00a0 (In college walking back to the dorms \u2013 finishing graduate school applications NOT partying — I slipped on ice late one night, followed by knee surgery a week later.\u00a0 Those formative experiences probably have a more than unhealthy fear of ice.\u00a0 But I think a little pagophobia<\/a> is a little justified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, when in Finland \u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later that night I got to try them out. I went with the kids to a hockey rink about a 5 minute walk from our house (nearby their school). Thankfully no-one else was on the rink, it was just me and my kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I could describe those first few minutes on the ice, but perhaps this would better:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This was not going well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But as I was shuffling along my kids were spinning circles around me.\u00a0\u00a0How did they get so good?\u00a0 They have my genes!\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>All three of them came over and said \u201cWe will teach you how to stake dad!\u00a0 Just follow us.\u00a0 Your first lesson is Push, push, glide. You can do this!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0I do remember teaching them that the time I took them to the rink, but just wore my boots because I was too scared to skate.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And so they gave me gentle encouragement, taught me how to improve my form, and were cheerleaders the whole way. It was a rare moment of unity and graciousness for my kids, and perhaps a turn of the tables.\u00a0 That realization was caused me stop (and almost fall flat on my face).\u00a0 With this trip we are asking so much of our kids \u2013 living in a country where they don\u2019t speak any of the language, attend a school where they are complete outsiders, and force them to be away from all that is familiar for six months.\u00a0 Too often the power dynamics with children are unidirectional and asymmetrical, so having them see me as vulnerable (and willing for them to be the teacher while I am taught) is a valuable lesson.\u00a0 My heart was filled with pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I finished my kids\u2019 \u201cBeginner\u201d lesson (my grades were an A+, A+, and an A; tough crowd), and I needed to practice for my \u201cExpert\u201d lesson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I first went skating four days ago; each night we go out skating.\u00a0 I am seeing some improvement \u2013 undoubtedly I won\u2019t qualify for Beijing 2022, but in my mind my kids are all medal winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n P.S. You can also follow adventures along on my spouse’s blog: https:\/\/shannonofthezteam.tumblr.com\/<\/a> (A lot of the pictures were taken from there. \ud83d\ude42 ).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cSo do you want to purchase a pair of skates?\u201d My spouse \u2013 S — is asking me this question in Prisma, a megastore that could best be described as a cross between a Super Target and Walmart. We had walked a half hour at -12C to get the kids sleds, and also decided to<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/engage.augsburg.edu\/zobitz\/files\/2021\/01\/tumblr_4c87d1ce900125217a3fcaaa19cad052_c20bec1d_1280-768x1024.jpg\")
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