Have you ever done something you were so excited for, but it turned out to be…not as great as you expected? Well this is about a time like that, where I couldn’t wait to do something, and as the experience went on, I couldn’t wait to go home. 

     From the moment I walked in, I felt a rush of nervousness. I was excited and scared at the same time. It had been a white, snowy afternoon when I arrived at the ice skating rink with my mom and brother. Although I was nervous, I was also thrilled to be there, as I had always wanted to go ice skating. That morning, I put on my gray long sleeve shirt and my favorite blue leggings, for good luck. The room outside of the rink, where I would rent my skates, smelled of rubber and wood. I received my skates from my mom and attempted to put them on, not understanding how to put on the intricate design of white laces on the skates.

     My mom kneeled down to help me. She laced the skates up in no longer than a minute. I stood up, not realizing that I had skates I’ve never used on my feet, and fell back onto the chair. I tried once more, this time getting up slowly, and realized that it wasn’t that hard. I waited patiently for my mom and brother to get their skates on before we went inside to where the actual rink was. The second I walked in, I felt the cold air rush against my cheeks, and I could see my breath in front of me. My fingers were as cold as ice. I rushed to the entrance of the rink and braced myself as I slowly stepped on the cold ice. The skates hit the ice with a click. I realized it wasn’t so bad, and I could actually walk on the ice confidently. I started to make small motions with my feet, as to move forward. I realized I was actually skating. I was doing it! Slowly, I got more and more confident. I was impressed with how good I was doing and that I hadn’t fallen at all. That’s when it all took a turn for the worse.

     Feeling confident, I decided I was going to skate from one end of the rink to the other as fast as I could. Part of me was telling myself that it’s not such a good idea, but I did it anyway. Full of adrenaline, I started off slowly and then built up momentum, getting faster and faster. All of the sudden, I felt my ankle shift and collapsed before I even knew what was happening. It hurt like my ankle had gotten run over. I slid across the ice and went soaring straight into the wall of the rink. My mom came rushing over, asking me if I was alright, and as I got up slowly, ankle throbbing and shivering from the cold, I told her I was. I didn’t feel like skating anymore. I just wanted to sit down and rest, but I knew I couldn't, because if I did, I would never be brave enough to skate again. 

     After I felt better, I went back to it again. Swishing and soaring across the ice, I skated and skated and skated, getting better at my technique. By now, I was able to go as fast as a cheetah. I felt confident enough to try skating across the rink again. This time I prepared myself. I took a moment to breathe, and then I just went for it. I swiftly skated across the rink, getting faster and faster. Before I knew it, I had made it to the other side of the rink and didn’t fall. I was so proud of myself and felt amazing. I realized how fun ice skating was and didn’t want to leave. 

     When I look back on that memory, I realized that I learned a very valuable lesson. In life, you can’t give up on something just because the first time you try it it’s too hard. You have to keep going and persevere until you get it, and only then will you be satisfied. 

-Olivia N.