Passing on the Torch

Isn't it every daddy's dream to pass on his greatest passion to his children in the hopes that they have the same, if not stronger, passion? You know that passion- the one of conquering mountains by easing through knee-deep powder, dropping off crazy-high cornices, and jumping off rocks into soft, white snow. Wait. You mean that isn't every guy's passion?

Well, it's definitely Jon's and today he lived and breathed his very dream. That's right. Today we took Ruthie skiing for the very first time.

Jon's love for the sport began 35 years ago and still remains his one true love today (okay, it's at least a three-way tie between skiing, me, and the kids!). He's been looking forward to taking Ruthie skiing since they day she was born. With her 3rd birthday just behind us, and Ruthie's talk for the last 6 months of wanting skis and ski boots, we knew she was ready. So, with her very own new equipment in tow, it was up to the mountains we headed.

Even with all her talk, we weren't sure whether she would really like skiing or not but she did give us some inklings as the day progressed. The first clue that she might actually enjoy herself was when I woke her up in the morning and she said "I'm ready to ski!" She helped Jon pack the car, she didn't complain about the long ride, and she even helped Gabe put on his snow clothes. And it was when she was finally on the mountain that she let out her true feelings. The "WHEEEE's" and "This is fun" and "Let's do it again, Daddy!" were definitely giveaways but it was the one moment on her way down the hill when she said, "Daddy, I really like skiing," that Jon knew the torch was being passed.