Last year I wasn’t able to participate in any holiday ice shows. I’d planned to skate my ‘Believe’ program in one, not knowing at first whether I’d have surgery before the show date. As it turned out, I didn’t, but my back went out right before the show and I couldn’t perform. This year I had no such problem, so I was able to skate a solo in one show and a duet in another.
The first show was at a rink that used to have a lot of high-level skaters. Thanks to some coaches leaving a few years ago, it’s a more relaxed place with mostly beginning and intermediate skaters. In the past I’d never been able to qualify to skate a solo at this rink, but thanks to the changes I was able to do so.
As I was warming up on the second, small ice surface I suddenly realized that my legs were shaking and I was surprisingly nervous for no really good reason. I thought, well, better skate that out for another minute or two. But just then the ice monitor told me to get off and line up behind the curtain for my performance. I was still a bit more nervous than usual when I went on, and there was a little improv in the middle of my piece, but I don’t think any of that was obvious to the casual observer. Overall I think I look like I was having fun (which I mostly was).
I got some supportive comments afterward from skating friends, and my husband and young adult came to watch me too. That felt good. I was feeling the community as I got to watch performances by skaters I’ve been on the ice with for years. During that time some have gone from talented teen skater to young adult professional or from pre-teen to teen.
One thing I love about skating in October and November is hearing everyone’s Christmas music and seeing their programs as they put something together for the holiday show. It’s one of the better parts of the holiday for me. Crazy me, I’ve been skating at three different rinks, so I got to see a lot of different holiday programs this year. I’ll tell you about my duet in my next post.
Related Posts:
Holiday Attitude Check | Keeping the Holidays Positive Taking a minute here and there to find the joy in some holiday activities. Sometimes it takes me a while-- even with activities that I signed up for.
'Believe' Holiday Program My holiday figure skating program
Holiday Ice Show Duet Mary and Chris at holiday ice show- Holiday Ice Show Duet Skating a duet for a holiday ice show.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Woohoo! Cheering you on from afar. Happy, happy holidays, Mary–so great to see you spreading joy and smiling from the ice!
Thank you Jo! Happy holidays to you, too!