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Helmet

Michael had long been threatening to buy a ski helmet for me. He had a helmet, we made Eleanor wear a helmet, it would make sense for me to have one too. I resisted: it's more equipment to lug around, it's expensive, it's uncomfortable, it looks dorky, it couldn't be really necessary or more people would have one...

On this most recent trip, Michael succeeded in convincing me to buy a black helmet with purple details--very comfortable, soft and fuzzy on the inside, a nice fit. The best things about it, I thought, were that it held my goggles on tight and I didn't have to wear a hat.

On my first run of my second day skiing, I went down the easier of the two blue choices (the harder route was very steep, with snow being made and blowing hard right up the hill). There was fresh "snow" on the hill I chose too, a bit thick and slipperier than the groomed parts. I skied carefully down.

Suddenly I heard a "Whoa whoa whoa!" and saw a blur behind me and to the left up the hill. A snowboarder came crashing directly into me and knocked my skis out from under me, so I fell down hard right on the back of my head---right where the helmet was. It took me a minute to catch my breath. Then it took all my self control to keep from yelling at the snowboarder---he apologized several times, which didn't really seem like enough, but then, what was he supposed to do? Then it took a bit for me to gather my confidence again and get down the hill.

But I was really really glad for the helmet. Worth every penny.

Comments

Lenise said…
Wow! God was definitely in control there. Skiing terrifies me, personally =] I wouldn't attempt it with a suit of armor!

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