I say used to ‘cos my middle-aged knee has been reminding me that I am not as young as I used to be; since something like 2003.

One time in the late 90′s, way before I was (in the mood of) seeing anyone, I used to spend lots of time with my family. I remind you that I am the youngest, which means there are lots of nieces and nephews already. The oldest of that generation, a niece of 15 years my junior, is also rather keen in sports, and had a pair of skates herself. Whenever Dr Pixie visited with the kids, I’d get this niece to go skating with me in the neighbourhood roads. It was quite good fun, connecting with her, getting a workout as well- uphill skating really works the ass muscle.

Anyway. During all those times no one said anything about her and I skating around. Then there was a family trip to Awana where again we brought our skates. After settling in at the hotel, I asked her if she wanted to go skating. She said yes, and it was then that Dr Pixie commented “Hey, you are a girl lah, what if you fell and get bruises and scars on your legs??”

That was the last time we skated together.

I wasn’t sure what to think of it. In some ways I didn’t agree with the ‘prohibition”, after all, its a sport and she could skate reasonably well. On the other hand, I can understand the wish to avoid injuries that scar. I have another niece (this same one) who has a rather long one along her shin after falling into a drain (I think it was a drain). I won’t say that it is unsightly, but my eyes are drawn to it everytime I see it.

And as far as I know, she is still quite the athlete at school.

Having said that though, I think when Caitlin is of age I’d probably get her into some outdoor activities and active sports like this, but fully decked out in helmet and guards and kevlar vests and insurance with the ambulance on standby trailing us on first gear…..

All this is of course due to aesthetic reasons. It’s a bit sexist I guess, that guys can be all scarred and macho but girls have to be the immaculate creatures of elegance…..

Would you stop your daughter from getting into a hobby or sport that would risk scars? Or just let them be, within reasonable physical safety?

Photo taken.. sheesh I can’t even remember when. I know it was after Caitlin and before Caleb. This is the group organised by Skateline, the skates retailer in TTDI, that organises weekly or so skating trips around parts of KL. I still prefer the night skates at Putrajaya- nothing like skating on tiles and marble!

That’s me in the extreme right. I haven’t got the kevlar bullet proof vest. I don’t need it, see.