Dani Rojas, of Ted Lasso fame, has a well-known catch phrase- “Futbol is life.”  And he might be right!  But I’d like to offer this phrase. 

“Sledding is life.”- Todd Fulginiti

By my standards, it’s been a good winter so far; cold with several snows.  But it wasn’t until this week that conditions were ripe for my all time favorite winter activity- sledding!

If you’re thinking, “Come on man! You’re 56 years old and you’re still sledding like a kid?”

Yes I am!

The sledding hill is a gym, an amusement park, a church, a meditation, physical therapy, a life lesson, and a family/community experience all rolled into one.  

On the hill last year with daughter Ally & her husband Alec.

Walking up that long, steep hill over and over again is no joke! But it’s way more fun that going to the gym, and at least as much of a workout as going for a run or hitting the dreaded treadmill.  When I get home from sledding, my clothes are soaked not with melted snow, but from the sweat that pours out of me no matter the outdoor temperature. It’s no picnic climbing to the top!

But, flying down the bank head first and as fast as possible makes it worth the effort.  The hill is like nature’s roller coaster; it’s just as fun to ride and there’s no admission fee.

The top of the hill overlooks a park and several farms. From there, you can see a grove of snow-covered pine trees, a few farmhouses, and some open fields.  The wooded hills in the distance seem closer.  Sunsets change the colors of the sky by the minute, until darkness makes another run too dangerous.

I admire the fitness of kids who can run up the hill, hop on their sled and go right back down, but they’re missing some of the good stuff.  Those of us that catch our breath after the climb, get to witness the whole scene- and it’s a beautiful one! No matter how crowded the hill is, it’s easy to take in the reminder that we’re all connected to the planet and to each other. It’s like a meditation with faster breathing.

It’s amazing how flat the hill looks from the parking lot. It’s not flat!

The hill isn’t only fast, it’s usually fairly bumpy as well.  Not crazy, bone-breaking, concussion causing bumpy (unless you’re foolish enough to hit the DIY mogul somebody always builds), but it’s certainly not a smooth ride to the bottom.  If you tense up on the sled, you’re likely to go slower and increase your risk of injury when things feel out of control.  It’s much better to just relax, and let your body flow with whatever movements the sled makes.  Of course, you do have to steer as best you can, but in many ways you’re at the mercy of the hill, so why fight what you can’t control?

I like to go head first, laying on my stomach.  I ride what looks like a snow boogie board of sorts, so I’m pretty connected to the ground all the way down the hill. I was surprised to discover that the rapid bumping and bouncing to the bottom feels like a physical therapy session!  It actually loosens up my typically tight back and shoulders, having the same effect as a massage.  Really!

At the bottom, the hill gives another reminder: good things come when you put the work in.  We can either quit, or get back to work climbing the hill for another run.

Other sledders make the trip to the top easier.  Between breaths, strangers meet, share stories and watch others slide by on their sleds. Nobody has their phone out except to snap a quick selfie.  Time is told by predicting the amount of daylight left, not by an alarm or a constantly checked clock. 

The hill hosts people of many ages, all going through the same life cycle of up and down with all that it entails. No matter what brought them to the hill (kids, exercise, fun, time outdoors, etc..) everybody wants the same thing- to enjoy their time there with people they enjoy being around.  

Sledding is life.

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