Body Surfing, Ice Skating and Minature Golf

What do these three things have in common.  Nothing actually unless you look at them in context of how they came to be grouped on this page.

I shared each of these activities with my Grandsons Collin and Brenden last week.  Making memories for them and me.  I completely understand that the time will be here soon enough when I will not be able to do these things with them.  It is a shame that we cannot be young with our Grandchildren, it would be so much fun.  Aging is a fact of life and while I embrace the changes it brings, I do on occasion mourn the loss of being more flexible, faster and so on. I have just a few thoughts on the each of these and I DID indeed have fun and I hope in their later years the boys will remember Grandma sharing the days with them.

I had not really ever body surfed until I was of an adult age, because I grew up on an inland lake and had never seen an ocean. I had however done a lot of water skiing and other water sports and am an accomplished swimmer.  There is  thrill involved that I certainly understand, I will never feel the thrill of a real surfer, but I get the idea.  Diving into the wave and allowing it to propel you is awesome all the while knowing that you cannot control that wave. Collin is fearless trying to keep up with his brother, and I have to admit seeing his little being out there prompted me to get in and stay in the water.  This brings a feeling of freedom and joy that is impossible to describe.

Growing up on a lake in Wisconsin, ice skating occurred on the frozen lake.  I think I was about four or five when I first skated, about the same age the boys started playing hockey.  I did not skate too long, for the simple reason that the rink was crowded with a lots of very small children, first time skaters, and while I quickly got my skating legs back, I had zero desire to even imagine what it would be like getting up if I fell over one of them..  I proved to Brenden that I could do it, and perhaps on another trip I will try again.  I loved skating both ice and roller and spent a good part of my youth in these activities.  The thrill of skating for me is mastering the balance required to move on the implements on my feet, this is more of a control thing than the surfing.  Either way it is fun and gives one a sense of accomplishment.

Mini golf used to be for dates, now I have made it an activity for the boys.  We have a ball and in this game we equal out.  Each of us has a few great holes and a few not so great ones. But we share, laugh and just enjoy.

The memories we make and made are priceless and I truly hope and pray I never miss an opportunity or fail to try one because I am afraid of looking foolish, or anything else.  I plan to keep on as long as I can swim, swing and glide.