Mile Marker 885:
Do one thing every day that scares you.
--Eleanor Roosevelt
My
grandmother was a firecracker.
She had hot red hair and a rebellious spirit to match. "Dot-Dot," as
we called her, walked fearlessly in 3-inch Candie's or yellow Reebok hi-tops. Unphased by
traditional grandmother images, she held her head high – especially when riding
us on the back of her motorcycle!
As she got
older, it was harder for her to get out of the house. So instead we'd order in Chinese
food. We'd talk about books and peruse gardening catalogues. I'd show her photos from my adventures -- trips to France, Chicago, and Vermont. We never mentioned it, but I wondered if she felt confined by what she could no longer do.
For me, 2012 concluded with a parade of rock climbing, rollerblading, and running -- or at least
trying to!
Yes, that's Mark next to me! Always... |
On the last
day of December comes the grandest
experiment of them all. ICE SKATING.
(This addiction to fun is a slippery slope -- literally.)
“I just want
to try putting the skates on,” I say to my cousin Tracy as we make our way across the parking lot. She knows there are lots of shoes that won't fit because my left foot can’t point its toe.
We rent our skates and give it a whirl. On a bench, I unlace the left skate. My Genium's foot goes in with surprising ease. Test
number one – PASS.
But then I
stand up. The pitch of the skate isn’t
right. It tilts the Genium forward causing my knee to buckle. Because the
heel of the skate is higher than the toe, the Genium thinks we’re going down a
hill. I switch settings on the remote
control. Which of the Genium’s four modes will carry me safely from bench to
ice?
Yoga mode! (Yes, really.)
In yoga setting,
the knee becomes super-resistant and hard to bend, like dragging your leg through mud. It's strong enough to hold the knee stable as I wobble across
the rubber floor mats. Hand on
Tracy’s shoulder, I make my way to the rink.
But when I set foot on the ice, yoga gives out to jazzercise. Without a grip on the soft
floor, my Genium shoots out from under me. I go into a disco move, John Travolta style!
Take 2. I decide inline skating mode might improve things. It'll allow the knee to bend with no resistance at all. On the rubber floor, it made my leg too flimsy to control. But on the ice, it works like magic. (Thanks to Prosthetist Tim – a.k.a. Super Genium Programmer!) With a built-in lock, I can even push off. A bit.
Technology aside, for the first few laps the WALL is a bigger help than any Genium setting. Tray and I stick close
and hug it tight.
Good friend Jodie was even there to take a photo! |
Then she
lets go.
And I do
too!
So what if my
gait is tilted to one side? So what if my
right ankle aches from doing the work of two?
So what if I’m nowhere near as proficient as I used to be? I am SKATING!
And when I
finally stop and glance around the rink, I see that most skaters are slipping and
sliding just like me!
Later that evening
-- New Year’s Eve -- I’m surrounded by friends.
Just before midnight, we’re huddled in our winter coats on the corner of
Front and South, amidst a crowd of horns, blowers, and glow-in-the-dark glasses. Waiting for the fireworks.
It’s our
tradition every year. But this night is
different.
Just minutes before, my
phone rang. It was Mark
calling. He told me Dot-Dot had died.
As the first
explosion lights up the sky, I feel tears coming on. But the
fireworks continue anyway. The colors rise, slowly at first and then with more intensity. The darkness pops with rings, and flashes, and brilliant chandeliers.
All at once, I realize this is her grand departure. Dot-Dot is going out in true "Dot-Dot" style. She’s found her freedom.
All at once, I realize this is her grand departure. Dot-Dot is going out in true "Dot-Dot" style. She’s found her freedom.
I did not
inherit Dot-Dot’s rebellious gene. In fact, some
days there are so many things that SCARE me that I fall into bed exhausted.
But at Mile
Marker 885, I know that a piece of her courage is with me. It inches me forward each time I try
something new. As I strap on rollerblades or ice skates. As I grab that first rock
on the rock wall. Heck, even as I shop
for shoes!
My Genium
and I will never be strutting around in 3-inch heels. But yellow Reebok hi-tops? Maybe.
And in Dot-Dot's memory, we'll boldly keep WALKING.
Wishing you a
HAPPY, HEALTHY, and BRAVE 2013!
Rick, I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma. Hugs to you and your family. But, I think you inherited more of her adventurous spirit than you give yourself credit for! Traveling alone to France? Skating, biking, running, rock climbing, yoga? Come on! You may not be a rebel, per se, but you certainly are braver than you think! Lots of love to you this new year. Miss you!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your grandmother!! She sounds like a fantastic woman. We miss you and want to walk soon!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for the loss of your grandmother - what a lot of fun you must have had with her!
ReplyDeleteAnd you probably skate better than I do. :)
Many of our skating friends don't have parents around anymore, let alone grandparents! It's great to hear that you got to hang out with Dot-Dot well into your adult life. I know that you have some of Dot-Dot's spirit and energy. There are 2 South Street chapters in your Dot-Dot memories with South Street in them. "True Dot-Dot style." The photo that you attached with the 3 generations is great! And, 3 cheers to Mark for doing great on his 1st rock climbing experience! Great shot of you and Mark on the wall. I see that you and Tracy have hockey skates for the ice. As the belayers at Go Vertical would often say, "Nice." And,I like your choice of radio stations. There should be a station frequency for 100.0 for that soon to be accomplished milestone. 2013 will be a big year for you. Reach 1000 miles in "True Dot-Dot Style."
ReplyDeleteRick, as Dorothy departed this earth with a display of fireworks, she infused (and extra dose) you with the Dot Dot gene. Don't be surprised if you wake up with the desire to do something outrageous. And, by gosh, DO IT! She'll be right beside you, guiding you and holding your hand. Who knows where those adventures will lead you?
ReplyDelete