Being old enough has paid off in more ways than one. I’m particularly grateful that I grew up in a generation where I wasn’t told not to talk to strangers. My mother smiled and greeted everyone. A moving van wasn’t out of her apartment complex before, with cookies in hand, she welcomed her new neighbors and would ask if they play bridge. Our children also received the okay to engage in conversations and learned early on that chairlift rides could give them some fun table talk. It was not uncommon over the holidays to know how many lift rides were with Chanukah people and how many with Christmas tree people. It was not usual but once a couple showed up for après having been invited by our most gregarious and determined young daughter. It worked!
It perhaps helps being an extravert which, for us, is a family condition. Mostly, we are reinforced by our happy encounters and, therefore, encouraged to keep it going. This winter two of my now adult daughters joined me for the weekend. Eager to maximize our slope-time, we used the single lanes on three lifts. At the top we shared with whom we had ridden. The results were interesting and diverse. On the two-day tally sample, there were the two men who had worked grooming our slopes for 35 years and now were enjoying someone else’s labor.
The story my daughter shared about the man she told that her 78-year-old mother was in the chair ahead made us laugh. He was elated that I only had two more years before I would have 80-plus up-front parking which he thought was so great. A handsome and young orthopedist from New Hampshire assured me my leg, just like his -- minus its ACL, would be just fine if we follow exercise instructions.
My daughter who will be sending her first born off to college in the fall, got good info on schools and comfort from similar, stressful scenarios going on in other homes. The two co-eds from St. Michael’s College had gotten up at 6 to get good parking and fresh tracks and reminded me of my teenage early ski day excitement. The Boston commercial realtor, when asked where his local home was, ended up owning one of my favorite Valley homes and was impressed about how much I knew about his property and invited me to come knock on their door for a drink and a tour.
Several others were happy first timers to Sugarbush and enjoyed getting questions about trails answered and learning about life here. The two college guys were fun to talk to and upon hearing about how I came to live in Warren, told me they thought I was living the dream and they want to be me when they grow up. Two others tried to make me comprehend how and why vaping is necessary. Our chatter reflected respect and a quest for understanding. As a Mom-figure I guess, they assured me they did not do drugs of any sort! Bottom line, these encounters are just plain cool and a shame to miss!
We all ski or board because we love our sport, love winter, and prioritize our time and resources to do it. We have lots in common and, with a little probing, the right questions and interest, nice connections and meaningful sharing are possible and probable. It can also be life-changing. I no longer look pessimistically at the big 80th realizing now that I will be envied and respected for my earned parking. I’m going for it and forever giving thanks to my precedent-setting wonderful Mom.
Cherri Sherman
Warren
