“This is love, this is friendship, this is community, this is grace. ”

It happened so fast, but I remember it clearly. It was a cold, sunny, bluebird day, as they call them in Sun Valley. I had skied most of the week with my son, Tommy, feeling strong and confident. Mark was joining us and, early birds that we are, we were amongst the first on the gondola and on the chair to the top. We were heading for Christmas Ridge. It lay groomed and untouched just beyond our lift, waiting. And then, we were off, my last words, “I feel great!”

Tommy turned to head down. I hesitated just a second. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mark ski off and in that instant felt a powerful force pulling my leg away. My tail, it turns out, was caught on Mark’s tail and he had taken my ski, and my leg, with him. The rest of me stood firmly in place. Suddenly, my legs spread in an unnatural, ugly split. I was thrown backwards, impaled in this awkward and painful pose until Tommy, who had returned after hearing my screams, released my bindings. It was over, but it wasn’t.

Imaging would reveal plateau fractures of both tibias and a fracture of one fibula, an avulsion fracture of an ACL and a torn meniscus. All mine.

It has been almost 8 months since my fall and the snow is once again falling here in the high mountains. Skiing will start again in 18 days, for some.

The details of my recovery are straightforward - 9 weeks immobile in braces navigating between a hospital bed, a wheelchair and a commode, 6 months of physical therapy in the gym and in the pool, shots of gel in my knees to relieve the pain, gaining strength and balance.

These details are important, but what is more important is the support and the love and the care that allowed me to attend to those details day after day. All those who came and cooked and put socks on my cold feet and warm coffee in my stiff hands, those who wheeled me outside when weather permitted (which wasn’t very often), those who brought me books and movies and delicious meals and treats, those who sent cards and flowers and emails, those who called and cajoled, those who challenged me and supported me. All of them angels that urged me back to my life when fear and vulnerability would have narrowed my world to a shadow of its former shape. And there was Mark, always there was Mark, steady, strong, cheerful, loving, patient. and kind.

This is love, this is friendship, this is community, this is grace. This is what knit together all the places where my brokenness travelled, places that no X-ray could reveal.

I have been changed by this time of confinement and renewal. I have been changed by the boundless help offered to me so abundantly. I have been changed by the miracle of my healing. And I am grateful beyond words, beyond time, eternally grateful.