Keep Going Keep Going

She holds the poles firmly for support, catching her breath. Probably did at least 2 miles so far. Although she's not terribly athletic, the smooth slide of the cross country skis made this exercise fun and inspired her to keep going. Didn't even fall once yet, she thought while bracing for the second half of her run back to the cabin. Aside from a few skiers, it was quiet in the woods and the air felt sharp. She took a deep breath and exhaled steam as she pushed back onto the trail.

When her friend had offered to drive them up to Frost Valley, New York for hiking and cross country skiing, She almost declined. She had terrible stamina when it came to doing things like this. Often she pooped out and was left behind as her friends seemed to have endless energy and could go on and on.

After that time, she only got to cross country ski once more. It was with her husband and cousins out at Lake Tahoe in California. It was late winter and she found getting back on the skis feeling natural and even joyful. Somehow her energy seemed better when skiing. It was so warm you just needed a tee shirt. This left her with an almost surrealistic quality of floating above snow in warm air.

Since those events years ago, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This disease taps your energy - sometimes a lot, sometimes not so much. Symptoms can range from no apparent symptoms to being paralyzed and permanently bedridden.

Circumstance kept her from making cross country skiing a regular thing. But she promised herself if she ever lived in an area with enough snow, she would get skis and ski regularly every year, even if it was just in her own backyard. Luckily with exercise, medication, and a life style change; she was maintaining quite well. MS left her with a weak left side but with a reduction in stress, she was gaining strength and hardly even used her stairlift anymore. In this new location she just moved into, it usually snowed several times a year and they had a flat area of land to ski in. Now's the time to finish this goal that's been on her bucket list.

Many of my dreams have come true and many are in the process of coming true. Can you find the cross country skier on my board?

This is the year. I am scoping out an inexpensive used pair of backcountry skis on Craigslist that can get me started. We are making a family trip to the Massanutten Resort which is just over the mountain from us. While my daughters take downhill ski and snowboarding lessons (they haven't decided which yet), I'll be driving to that flat part of the hills to the snow covered bicycle path and try out my skis. I have it all planned out where I'll bring a chair to be placed right next to the snow to help me get into and out of the skis. I will practice lying on the ground and getting up by myself (a necessary skill). And you know what? Just thinking about it makes the joy come back.

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a major inspiration for me. A fascinating journey into stroke and recovery.

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose I read this many times. A great book to come back to again and again to help you live in the moment.

Here is the location of the ski resort nearest me, Massanutten Resort. They don't have cross country trails but have bike trails you could try out on cross country skis if you're adventurous! The Resort specializes in snow tubing, downhill, snow boarding, and even have an indoor water park! Surrounded by beautiful mountains.You can find out more information on MS from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.