holiday get-up

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This year's holiday get-up includes the snowpants M got me in the States this fall while I was on tour (which earned him a look) and the skates I got for Xmas when I was 19.

I'm quite sentimental about these skates. I remember going to a local rink soon after receiving them and teaching myself, slowly and precariously, to skate backwards.

And then looking up and seeing my mum at the side of the rink, leaning on the boards. Watching me. And knowing, just knowing, that she was proud of me, for something as simple as being determined to figure out skating backwards.

(She told me at Xmas supper, this year, that she was probably out walking the dogs anyways.)

Thanks to M for the photo and for winching up the girl as she figures out skating forward and the pleasure of being boneless in our arms or on the ice.

And, I suppose, for the snowpants.