Skiing Scars

This ski season started with this picture - proud big brother with his rock star little sister - connected by their love of ski racing. And now also connected by season ending ski injuries and scars.

Family ski trips have been the building blocks of many memories for our family. We love experiencing the mountains together skiing. All four of our kids love of skiing became a defining part of our family. And then came the racing and the many trips out west sometimes as a family trip and sometimes for races. Our love of the mountains grew inspiring us to move to the mountains three years ago.

Birdie was just the right age for the move as a ski racer and thrived. This year she was ready to build on her success of last year. On the last training run on the last training day before a big early season race she had qualified for - she had a season ending crash. The type of crash that includes ski patrol, a sled, and an ambulance ride to the ER. At first they thought maybe just a meniscus tear, but as soon as I saw her I knew it was more. And it was. Her season was over. She recently had major reconstructive knee surgery and is in the midst of a 9-12 month recovery which she is rocking. Right now she is determined to make a come back like many racers do. All I want is for her to be active and feel strong. If she races again it will be up to her as it’s always been.

Two weeks later her older brother, Jack, who exchanged race courses for extreme skiing also experienced a season ending crash. You’ll have to follow him on instagram to see the video and pictures. It’s all there. He too got a sled ride, and an ambulance ride to the ER. He knew right away that he broke his femur. I tried to tell myself that night as he was going into emergency surgery that a bone break wasn’t that bad. I didn’t know how dangerous a femur break can be. Jason knew and got on the next plane to Bozeman and I called my brother Rob for prayers.

Skiing now has provided Jack and Birdie with more life long lessons. The sport has already taught them resilience and determination and continues to teach those lessons and more. As Birdie said she will forever be grateful to be able to walk. When the little things in life are taken away our perspective changes forever. The good news is they are both putting everything they have into their recovery.

What I wrestled with in those first couple weeks was how to acknowledge what’s happened but also not to dwell on it - to be careful of the thieves of comparison. I know it could have been worse and it also could have never happened. As my dear friend Amy reminded me, “This is your struggle right now. It’s nobody else’s and nobody else’s experience is ever going to be exactly the same.” Those words did bring me comfort and helped me accept those challenging weeks for what they were.

I try to look for blessings during hard times and turn to gratitude. We are grateful for the amazing ski patrol at both of the crashes and to our family and friends that show up - hugs, ice cream, care packages, texts and calls full of love, concern and support. So grateful.

Jack and Birdie’s resilience has been a daily inspiration these last couple months. And Sierra and Austin’s support of their siblings has been equally inspiring. They are blessed to have each other always.

I can’t wait for us to all ski together next year.

Thanks for reading. It’s remarkable to me how much it helps me to put words and pictures together - to process and to remember.