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As I lie in my dirty bed, crowded with two restless dogs, one sleeping cat, pretzel crumbs, tea stains and Sweet Tarts, I look at amazement at my right broken ankle — propped up on two pillows with two pins in my bone.

I’m nauseous from the meds, which aren’t easing the pain. I’m dirty: My armpits stink, my hair is greasy, and I’m depressed. I can’t take a shower; the only cleaning I can do is with baby wipes, and those suckers are really cold.

All I was doing was being energetic. When my two kiddos were little I always knew I was going to be an active and involved parent. I always remembered to bring the treats, and I fought other moms for the elite title of room mother. My kids didn’t ride the bus, because I took them in every morning and picked them up after school. I attended every band concert, and when they participated in sports, I helped, whether it was doing the snack list, ordering uniforms or coaching. When Natalie took horseback riding lessons, I showed her my rodeo queen pictures and barrel racing ribbons. When they both took up golf, so did I. But they complained that I talked too much, so I was ordered back into the cart to be the chauffeur.

When Natalie started swim team, I promised her I would be at every meet, and I have. Her baton twirling events, especially in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, have been a joy to watch.

So when they got seasonal jobs last year and this year — teaching snowboarding and skiing at Snow Creek Ski Resort in Weston — I saw snow as an opportunity to hang out with my kids and play.

Last season, I took my first lesson from a friend Michelle Street, an accomplished skier. I fell 11 times in one hour, and the next day I was so sore I could hardly move. I even made an appointment for a bone density scan to make sure I wasn’t at risk for a broken hip. I wasn’t, but I upped my calcium intake just in case.

By the end of last season, I was Suzie ChapStick and proud to say I could master the Flatlands run by swerving, gliding and turning without falling.

So this winter my goal was to master the Holiday Bowl, which is much, much steeper and longer. We went up the ski lift, and with Vince and Natalie in front of me, I took off. I was almost at the bottom but disappointedly lost my balance, went tumbling and felt pain in my right ankle.

I got back on the metaphoric horse and skied again, but the pain was too great, so I went into the lodge to pout. The Bowl beat me, but only for this season.

Next winter I’ll be in better shape, and with my kiddos at my side, I will conquer the Bowl because I am not too old to ski.

Kay Dattilio is a mother of two teenagers in the Kearney area.

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