When I was 30 and living in New York City, I broke my arm skateboarding. In the couple of days between the accident and when my mother was able to make it down from Vermont to Brooklyn to give me a hand, a family friend and guardian angel named Pat assisted in getting me from Brooklyn to Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan. I have never forgotten her compassion. Recently, Pat’s husband Joe passed away. In response to a letter of condolence I wrote her, Pat sent a nice thank you note that ended with “I hope you’re not still skateboarding!”
On Sunday, just one day after we ended one chapter of the family skateboarding story, Matteo and I set out to find a skate park in the area, where I was hoping we’d be able to see and be inspired by some decent skaters. Our skateboards were in the car in case inspiration struck and he wanted to skate at the park or in a nearby parking lot. After striking out at a couple area parks, we were told about a community center mini-park very close to home in San Leandro. It turned out to be just the thing for a budding skater and his old man. I took some laps as Matteo watched excitedly and jumped around the raised border of the park. With a little encouragement, he allowed me to bring him into the lower, bustling area of the part. Like we do at home, I began to push him around by his hip, gradually lessening my touch and allowing him to find his balance. For the first time, he began to lean his weight and actually steer the board.
An hour later, Matteo was skating ramp, encouraging me to propel him up a a concrete embankment and using his bent knees and balance to ride back to me. We were off to the races and he didn’t want to stop. On the short drive home, we argued over who had more fun and discussed when we’d be able to get back to the park. It was certainly one of my proudest moments of parenthood and an ideal transition to the next chapter of family skateboarding.
I’m also personally excited and grateful to have Matteo with me at the park because it makes me far less self-conscious to be a 43 yo guy sucking at skating the park around a bunch of jaded teenagers. While I’m not very cool and maybe even perceived as a creeper to be there on my own, I feel pretty encouraged and cool as a dad when I’m out with my dude!
Don’t tell Pat.