Almost There

If you can believe it, the hockey season is about to begin, and the excitement is palpable. It’s hard to imagine that for the next few months, our lives will be about pretty much one thing, not that it’s a bad thing. The kids are excited, and this will be an interesting year because not only are they both playing full time, but dads playing, as well. All we need is to have R join in and we’ll be complete hockey junkies, not that we aren’t, already.

I do think there are many positives to being on the team for the kids, and not only because they’re having a blast. The other kids on the teams are really nice, and not only do our kids have a cool social outlet, but they get to be a part of something bigger than themselves and learn about teamwork, hard work, and sacrifice. Plus, down the line there are lessons about disappointment and triumph. From there, the possibilities are unlimited.

We had a team meeting the other night and the coach gave a speech about what he expected and what the players should expect, and for me personally, it was pretty moving. Not to get overly sappy, but the guy is completely dedicated to hockey, and not just to win. He really stresses character and growth, and he wants the kids to develop more as people than just players. It’s nice to see and hear.

The great thing about it is the kids really respond, and I see it in both of them. They are more than happy to comply to DF requests, or should I say expectations, of them as responsible people. He asks that the parents leave them to prepare for games and maintain their equipment, and on some level, to stay out of the locker room, it’s really all about the team. I can appreciate that. Character building, it’s all in the little things. Best of all, the kids have embraced being more responsible, and I wonder if they would be as enthused had the request come from me.

I wish I could say this would be the case, but somehow I doubt it.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to martins_kyle for the pic.