Downhill Skiing

It was getting late but still so bright over the lake and just a bit difficult to see much in front of me except the fluffy, white snow on the weeds, branches and ground. But wait, is that the full moon off in the distance? Yes, it is for sure. I have skied most of the day and I would be going home soon. I just don't want to go yet though. I am so impressed with the beauty I see in front of me. The sky is lite up and the snow is beautiful and the trees are forming a nice path to ski down.

The lake is open, and not expected to close this year! No more beautiful site than what is right in front of me. I have never seen anything so gorgeous before. A person could live most of their lives and never see anything that even comes close to this view. I pulled up on a flat surface to take in the scenery. I have gotten pretty good at snowplowing to stop. Not quite as good at using the sides of my skis.

I am enjoying the view when I hear, "Watch out!!" Just that quick I am up in the air and coming down for a landing. Then, I don't stop there as I continue to spiral down the hill. How ever am I going to stop my descent I think when suddenly I crash into what appears to be a rock pile. I am stopped and trying to figure out how serious my injury is, when the man that hit me comes skiing in. He is apologizing before he stops. He didn't see me! He said, "I was looking at the lake and didn't see that you had stopped. It is such a gorgeous view, but how are you, I hope you are okay?"

I explain that I am not sure but don't think I should move just yet. Do you have a phone on you, I asked, as I didn't bring mine? He quickly checks his pockets and pulls out a phone. He calls the chalet and asks for help. "They are sending someone up right away," he says. I am not sure what to expect but realize my hands and then legs are moving and I did move my head without any pain. Could it be I made it through that crash without so much as a scratch? No such luck! My leg had a bit of a slice and they thought I would need a whole lot of stitches. My family was not with me and I wasn't with friends and when this guy offered, I wasn't sure I wanted any of his help.

He said, "Please, please allow me to help you! It is all my fault and I really want to try to fix this if I can! You don't have to like me, be nice to me or pay me anything. I want to help! Please let me!" Okay, I say, just please stop. We get to the hospital, they stitch me up and decide to keep me for the night, for safety measures. When I wake, I realize someone is reading in the corner of my room and it is him! The man who knocked me over on the hill! What are you doing here yet, I say. He answered, "They couldn't get ahold of your family as you didn't have your phone to get any numbers off of. So, I am your family for tonight. I hope your husband won't be upset!"

I let him know there is no husband or significant other. Then I say, what about your wife or girlfriend? He says, "No wife or girlfriend. My wife died a couple years ago and we had no children, so I am single and on my own. It is okay for me to be your family then for tonight right?" That is how I left it then that night as I turned over and went back to sleep.

Just a few years later, we were back in that same hospital and I was getting ready to deliver our first child. He was 41 and I was 36. We were expecting a little girl. Both excited, both in love! This day may never have happened without me snowballing down the hill at Spirit Mountain. It was magic that night, even though we didn't know it was!