Teaching skiing and snowboarding on the weekends is especially rewarding for me. My love affair with mountains and snow started when I was only three. That’s when I first learned to ski. Now that I am far older and somewhat wiser, working at Mountain Creek is what I call part time play.
Usually, I limit my time at the mountain to Saturdays. As much fun as it is to be there sharing my passion, I have to make time for paying bills, doing laundry, and all those other adult responsibilities I now have. Yesterday I decided I would make an exception. I was approached by the director of the ski and snowboard school. He was looking for someone to teach a three hour private lesson for a young skier with special needs.
While getting ready this morning, the sunrise seemed to indicate what a beautiful day it would be. 
My student arrived right on time and her mother gave me a brief overview. She had skied before, she doesn’t really turn, she is very anxious due to her special needs. I asked if there were any other things I should know or look for regarding her special needs and was assured that was it.
It wasn’t long before we progressed out of the learning area and onto Sugar, Mountain Creek’s official bunny hill. The change in terrain brought out some anxiety, but by skiing backwards and holding my students hands she seemed to be comforted. We talked about summer camp, swimming, and favorite colors. The best turns I saw from her came when I said, “Pretend our skis are paintbrushes. I’m drawing a dark black line in the snow. When you run over my lines you can change it to any color you want. What color will you change it to?” First she chose to paint an imaginary green line and then after a few turns it became an imaginary purple line. 
For all the fun I was having, I wasn’t sure how much she was enjoying it. Many of her responses were abbreviated. She did some of what I asked her to, but sometimes just kept plodding along. There were frequent requests for breaks and she needed some adjustments to her boots. I indulged her, even if only for a few seconds at a time.
Just a few minutes ago my hard work was well rewarded. I received a text message from this young skier’s family. It read “Stephanie We both lost your business card can you send it to us or your contact information can you take a photo and text it to us so I can set you up in our contacts so I can call you when we come *our student* loved you”. My day has ended as beautifully as it began.