Sad parent at a ski resort

Writing this post as I sit enjoying an early afternoon beer after skiing all morning. Sitting across from a mother with a special needs child who hates her life. Stay tuned.

So I took the entire day to go skiing on my own. I live about an hour away from a world class ski resort. I usually come once or twice a week to ski, enjoy some midday beers, and just enjoy nature and the beautiful mountain. I usually ski alone as a lot of my friends these days are married with kids and can't come out. No problem, as I love being alone.

I ski for about 2 hours and am exhausted. Time to hit the lodge for a few beers and to rest my legs. I grab 2 cans of beer, find a cute table by the window, and settle in to enjoy the mountain views and the fireplace nearby. Here I am just vibing and thinking about my runs, enjoying the ice cold beers, and warming my feet as I gaze at the mountain peaks. Peaceful, happy, content. The tables are communal style bench seating. A mother and her son (maybe 9?) appear. She asks if she can sit across from me. I say sure of course. I have the best view so go for it. I quickly realize her son is special needs. She is having trouble controlling him. He appears to be in sensory overload and is doing his best. I feel bad for her. I continue to enjoy my beers.

I put my beer can on the table and before I even realize what is happening, the boy lashes out and smacks the can over. The mother immediately reacts, pulls him away, and apologizes profusely. I say "hey it's ok, shit happens". Get up and grab some napkins to mop it up and to throw the can away. She feels so bad and explains his issues. I understand 100% and say don't worry, I shouldn't have the extra beer anyways as it will make my skiing even worse (haha). I was quietly pissed as the beer cost $12 but I understood at the same time.

Here is the sad part....the mom and I got to chatting. She and her family were visiting from a province/state over (I am from Canada). So they drove 16 hours. Her, her husband, her disabled son, and her other 3 "normal" children. She lamented as she stared out the window how she would do anything to be skiing right now. We watched the skiers together and she explained that her husband was up on the hill right now with the other 3 enjoying the day. She (OF COURSE) was tasked with handling the special needs child. She sadly described how she grew up skiing and was even in the running to be on our national ski racing team. She said all she wanted was to be on the hill right now, even with her disabled son (the hill has a special needs skiing program), but couldn't as someone had to take care of their child and husband was the one who got to go out skiing.

I felt SO bad for her. She looked SO sad. Of course dad gets to go up and ski with the other kids. It's always the moms who get stuck doing the hardest, most soulless tasks. Dad hardly knows how to ski and mom is the ex-professional. How come HE isn't sitting in the lodge taking care of the special needs child? While mom gets to enjoy skiing on their one holiday of the year? Mom should be out there, but no. It all made me so sad. She was so nice and humble... but it was so, so clear she missed her old lifestyle and resented her husband (not her child outright, but that she had children..). She said too that once they were done she would have to arrange dinner and plans for the night, and that her husband was going to meet some old friends in the resort for drinks (other husbands). I finished my other beer, gave her well wishes, then continued to ski for a few hours, enjoyed a post-ski fire and some hot wine, then reflected on my amazing CF day.

I felt wonderful and had the best day. I just can't get over how sad she was. Imagine that is your life...sitting and looking out the window at your old life and wishing you could reverse time. She never said anything of that nature but I could tell she was thinking it. Women ALWAYS get the short end of the stick. ALWAYS. Yet another reminder to remain CF. I will never, EVER give up my ski days (or my sleep-ins, my peace, my hobbies, my life..) for a child or a worthless husband (obligatory 'not all men', this is not an anti-man or anti-husband post, just an anti-shitty-men/husband/partner post).