I believe we were some of the most loved/spoiled kids ever to be raised In Iona, at least that is how I felt. We had loving parents who taught us to work hard and they taught us to play hard. I remember that we always worked hard (weeding the BIG garden, mowing lawns—all of them, hauling wood, cleaning the house…etc. I remember when the work was done our family would load the boat and head to Palisades Reservoir. On our way there it was always a competition as to who would see the dam first. It was also a competition who could learn to waterski on two skiis, and then on one ski or who would be the first up on skies that day. It was never me! If I remember correctly, Rich and Doug learned to waterski around six or seven years old. Debbie was maybe 8. I believe I lost that competition by a big margin. I believe I was 10 or 11. I had a great fear of the water, the fast moving water below our skies. That fear was born from experience.

When I was maybe five or six, Dad wanted to give me the experience of water skiing without all of the anxiety that came with doing solo. I was confident sitting on dad’s lap while he sat on the edge of the dock with the skies on. My arms were wrapped around his forearms and he was holding onto a ski rope. I had little fear because I had Dad. He said “Hit It” and Mom, the boat driver, punched it and before I really knew what was happening, we were pulled up and my feet stood in front of Dad’s booted feet on the skies, I held tightly to his arms and we were skiing. Dad was an adventurer so of course we crossed the wakes a few times. This was thrilling and exhilarating and of course safe!?!

A few minutes into our ski ride, the unthinkable happened. One of the skies broke into two pieces which sent dad and me tumbling. Dad tells the story that he picked me up and set me aside before he went down hard. My recollection happened a little different. At one moment we were happily skiing and then the next moment we were slammed into the water. I remember somersaulting in the lake and panicked that I would never find the surface, but thanks to those ‘wonderful’ orange life jackets, I floated to the top. I didn’t see Dad for a few more moments and I am sure I was totally panicked, most likely crying and screaming.

It seemed like eternity before the boat got back to pick us up. Physically, I was fine, I had no injury other than emotional trauma which would make it very hard for me to actually try to waterski solo for a very long time. Dad on the other hand had an extreme injury. I think he tore or pulled multiple muscles in his leg, his leg was purple.

Dad’s injury eventually healed and my emotional trauma did too but it took awhile. Had I known way back then what I know now I would have learned a lot sooner to ski.

I am grateful that our parents shared fun adventures with us and taught us fun skills along with the skill to work hard. I think about all the adventures we had together and I think we bonded through them and our experiences taught us to stay close. Thank you, my siblings, for being my siblings. Love You!