New Years Day 2016

I was on time to work because at the ripe old age of 51 I no longer find it necessary to ring in the new year at midnight. Having been asleep well before ten o'clock the night before I was bright eyed and bushy tailed for my assignment New Years Day.

When I checked the computer that morning while signing in I read that I would be spending the day with two 4 year old boys who had never skied before. Most instructors would have groaned and grumbled, but I looked forward to starting my year with these two boys.

They arrived with their parents promptly at nine, little Hamish was carrying his own skis and grinning, Max on the other hand wasn't quite sure about what was in store so he hid behind his mom's leg while she gave me the run down of what the day would bring. The boys were not brothers, but best friends who were only born two days apart. The moms had been college roommates, and had ended up in the same city and neighborhood, which made it pretty much inevitable that the boys would be close.

We all took off and headed for the gondola, all the while Mom kept reassuring me Max would be fine the minute the doors closed and she was gone. Thankfully she was correct.

The second the doors closed Max turned to me and started babbling about the snow, skiing, and myriad other subjects, with Hamish joining in with giggles and grins. When the doors to the gondola opened both boys bolted out urging me to hurry and come help them get their skis on.

I introduced them to the "magic worm" (a little device we use to keep the tips of little ones' skis together making it easier for them to make a wedge to stop). I told them about the invisible snow snakes that were sneaky and liked to grab kids ankles and make them fall down. They were most intrigued about Mr. Bunny with his all white coat and one black ear that he would use to wave at kids when they learned to stop. The boys unanimously decided to be snow snake hunters and cover up every snow snake hole we found to keep them from coming out and pulling people down.

The reason I wasn't grumpy when I saw I would be with these two boys is because a day with four year old's is happiness you can't buy. That age is generally joyous, full of wonder, and they have absolutely no filter. Hamish and Max did not disappoint. They were kind to each other, and held hands when they walked. They looked out for each other, and shared everything.

I was riding the magic carpet standing backwards so I could face them, and Max said "Miss Tiff, be careful you can't see behind you and you might trip." I said, "Don't worry Max, I'm keeping an eye over my shoulder." Hamish leaned around and said, "but the snow snakes are invisible and they could jump on the carpet and grab you, and you can't see that over your shoulder." I had to laugh, he was right.

When we came out after hot chocolate break, Hamish tripped going down the stairs and banged his helmet on the hand rail. He looked up at me and said, "good thing I had my helmet on. Hamish one, snow snakes ZERO!" I chuckled again. Max grabbed Hamish's hand and said, "C'mon we've got a lot of snow snake holes to cover to save all the other skiers." Hamish looked up at me and asked, "Miss Tiff, are you a super hero?" I was confused, and asked why he asked. "Because you haven't fallen down once today, so you must have a super power that keeps the snow snakes away from you." I said I wasn't aware of any special powers, that maybe the snow snakes just didn't think they could get me. Max replied, "or maybe they know Hamish and I are your protectors!"

When the boys learned to stop on their own I shouted "Yay team!" and Hamish shouted "Team Tiff rocks!" I laughed again, and said "Hamish you are too funny." To which Hamish replied, "and I'm clever!" Max joined in, "yeah, it's the Max and Hamish show!"

I had to remind myself these boys were only four years old all day, they most certainly were smarter than the average kid. Max told me all about the toys he and Hamish had picked out for the kids at the homeless shelter, adding, "because after all, they should have presents on Christmas just like me and Hamish." My heart melted.

Later Hamish started dancing and I asked, "what kind of dance is that?" Hamish replied, "It's my boogie dance, it gives me rhythm." I said, "oh really?" Hamish replied, "yep, and rhythm makes me ski better, ya know, it gets you in the groove!" I snorted on that one, and laughed harder when Max joined in the dance.

When it came time to hand them back to their parents I didn't notice them behind me making snow angels. When I turned around they ran and hugged me and said, "we made the angels for you Miss Tiff, they will always be here to watch you and keep you safe." I won't lie, I teared up a bit. I knelt down and hugged them both. Their parents were ecstatic, as their expectations had been extremely low, and seeing the boys skiing, stopping, and turning was way more than they had imagined.

As I walked away and headed for the locker room I realized I had learned as much from those boys as they learned from me. They started my new year off with joy, and thoughts of sharing, and seeing the world through the unfiltered eyes of two four year old's. I learned that kindness is key, friendship is a treasure, helping others is important, and that every now and then you should do a little "boogie dance" to get your rhythm so you can get in the groove of life.