The state of Colorado is known for the famous Rocky Mountains. These magnificent mountains majestically climb thousands of feet in the air and offer some of the best skiing slopes in America. Many students at DU chose the school because its location in Denver with easy access to many deluxe slopes. The US Olympic ski team trains in Colorado and Utah.
Skiing is not available in Hawaii, so it was not a sport that I had ever experienced. The few times that I went skiing, I never graduated from the “bunny slope” and spent most of the time falling. So, it seemed that skiing was not going to be on my list of achievements. However, I did learn to watch ice hockey as DU had one of the finest hockey teams in the NCHC, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
It was natural that Denver, known as the Mile High City, and nestled in the Rocky Mountains, 5,280 feet above sea level, offered many winter activities. Sadly, most of it would not include me except as a spectator. However, in life, when one door closes, a window opens.
It was January, 1971, on a flight to Denver from Los Angeles, when I met a lovely young lady sitting next to me in row 18. She was also a student at DU, a senior, a year ahead of me and graduating in 6 months. We had a great time getting acquainted on the two-hour flight. During our conversation, I learned that she was a ballroom dance instructor at an Arthur Murray studio in Los Angeles when not at school. I always wanted to learn to dance. I enthusiastically asked if she would teach me to dance when she had some free time at school. Her answer was surprising and enchanting. She told me, “I have a boyfriend now.” Well, that set me back a little, although I was not asking if she had a boyfriend. I apologized for being forward and wanted to change the subject of our conversation. However, she added “I will call you if that changes in the future.” That made me feel better. Upon arrival in Denver, we said goodbye and parted ways with amicable smiles.
About a month later, I received a phone call. “Hi Paul, we met on the flight recently from LA, remember me?” I was very happy to hear her voice and to re-connect. She asked “Do you still want to learn to dance? I do not have a boyfriend now.” Happily, I replied with a resounding YES! Over the next 3 months before she graduated, I learned to dance the waltz, fox-trot, and cha-cha from her. She was an excellent teacher. I would have enjoyed learning more dances from her if graduation had not gotten in the way.
What is the lesson here? The only thing in life that is inevitable is “Change.” No one knows the future but we can be sure that there will be change ahead. Embrace the change and make the most of it when it happens. If not, you will miss out on so much of what life has to offer.
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