How Skating Led Me To Louie

I was living in California, yes very sunny California, the place where it never rains. I was young and full of energy so you would think I would want to try my hand at some outdoor sport such as surfing. No, can't do that, too afraid of sharks, although they truly fascinate me. I try to learn more about sharks all the time. Maybe, they aren't really the creatures of the deep that strike fear into the heart of mankind at the mere mention of their species. That fear, however, would eliminate any ocean water sport since I was afraid to put my big toe into the water. No, instead I decided of all things to learn how to do something that I had never been very good at as a little girl. I thought I would follow in my little sister Gail's footsteps and learn how to do Ice Skating!

My sister had skated for years in Canada and excelled at it, but I have never been known for my perfect coordination. Indeed, the sad fact is that I rather lack coordination and the ability to remember steps in my mind. My mind has always wanted to reverse the order of things, doing them backwards instead of the way they were demonstrated. I am quite an expert at doing things the opposite of what everyone else would do, especially in the performance of sports or dance. It creates a defined sense of artistic moves deviating from the norm, but not always precise or elegant. Nevertheless, I was off to do my winter sport in year round sun regardless.

I enrolled at the Ice Capades Chalet in Santa Monica in their beginners class. Wow, I was feeling really proud of myself as I had actually mustered the courage to take the first step and enroll. Things like this are not easy when you are shy and not always endowed with great confidence. I did not even have skates. Step two was figuring out how to get decent skates on my meager little salary as a receptionist at an acupuncturist office in West Hollywood. See, I told you I was unconventional! I found a store somewhere in Santa Monica, if I remember correctly, that sold second hand skates. I was able to get a really decent pair of skates that looked brand new. My confidence was boosted. I have now enrolled, purchased skates, and have appropriate clothing since I had previously always lived where it was cold. Now, I only needed to learn the moves, to be ready in no time, for Ice Capades myself. Ha Ha! The day came for the first class. I actually made it there on time even though I was filled with trepidation. It was funny to see me in a class filled with little ones as I was 20 some at the time. I am just a big kid at heart so I honestly did not find myself feeling at all uncomfortable.

We were first taught the basics of stroking which I seemed to master pretty well without too many falls on the ice. We learned how to do shoot the duck and a three jump which I believe to be termed a waltz jump. I was pleased to have accomplished these feats which to many may seem really minor, but to me was like winning at the Olympics. I passed the required tests for the beginners class and enrolled in the intermediate class. In intermediate class I learned how to do an arabesque on ice. Now, that is a classy move if I do say so myself. I had danced before so I was able to get my leg up to a decent height.

The highlight of this second class though was that I was lucky enough to have the same instructor that had taught the beginner class. She was a lovely young lady whose name I can no longer remember. She had skated competitively for Canada and had traveled with the Ice Capades.

One day my instructor invited me to her apartment in Santa Monica for tea and to introduce me to her amazing pet. Her pet was named Louie. Louie was a beautiful Scarlet Macaw. Macaws are known for being bold and independent. Louie was no exception to this trait. He sat on his perch and said, "Hello" and waved a high five at you with his foot. He was not afraid to be his own person or really I should say his own bird. He would look into a mirror if you held it up to him and think the image starting back at him was soooo beautiful! No one could dispute the fact that Louie was a handsome specimen. He would blush at the thought of being admired by another of his kind. His little white face would turn red with embarassment or perhaps it was flirtatious glee in anticipation of contact with a potential mate. Louie was an example of all glorious things in natures palette with magnificient hues of blues, reds, and golds outlined with hints of black for contrast. Louie was an absolutely delightful character. I have never forgotten this exquisite creature though much time has passed.

I continued to skate as often as possible, but unfortunately Ice Capades sold their skating rink in Santa Monica ending my skating accomplishments and Ice Skating dreams.

I will never regret deciding to take up this winter sport in the California sunshine. I gained a greater sense of myself, improved my coordination to some degree, and had fun learning a new skill with childlike joy. The best thing of all was that I met Louie, the handsome Scarlet Macaw. Louie's boldness, love of self, and fierce independence is a lesson to all of us. I think Louie's lesson is to go out into the world just as you are with all your own amazing colors. Look around and love what you see in the world, yourself, and others. Be the Best Expressions of Our Own True Selves just as my friend Louie The Scarlet Macaw.