What are your best, and worst, hockey memories from 2012?
As 2012 comes to a close and 2013 begins we can think back on all the time we spent in the rink, or dealing with hockey, in the past year, while also looking forward to what hockey has in store for us in the future.
For me, 2012 was a bittersweet year, with more sweetness than bitterness when it is all said and done. For my own kids, 2012 brought almost as much success as possible, with two OMHA championships and an International Silverstick Championship in the early part of the year, followed by two more Regional Silverstick Championships and some tournament wins later in 2012 during the 2012-13 season. I am sure that my family will never experience another year like it, so we did our best to savour every moment. We have been very fortunate to be a part of some great teams. And, while the success has been great, what I remember even more fondly was watching my children develop, bonding with their teammates, and growing closer with my hockey family at the rink, in hotel rooms and hotel hallways after tournaments, and at hockey get- togethers. And, with my younger son playing spring hockey, we got to meet a whole new group of friends and hockey parents, which was both refreshing and rejuvenating.
I felt like 2012 had the best of both worlds for me. My boys were playing competitive hockey, and my daughter, the youngest of the three, made her appearance at Intro Tyke. There is nothing that boosts my mood more than watching tykes play hockey. It has been even more fun to be on the ice with her when I can, and it has given me a whole new appreciation for how difficult it is to learn, and play, the game. Finally, for child number 3, I feel that I am really taking in those tyke moments, recognizing the simplicity and pure joy of hockey at this age, while being cognizant of how quickly time flies, and how quickly our children grow up. I’ll miss my tyke days when they are over.
Of course, 2012 has not been all good.
I have hurt with my children when they haven’t played their best game, and when one of their mistakes may have contributed to a loss. I’ve learned that one of the most important roles of a Hockey Mom is to help her children deal with adversity, and come back stronger because of it. And, like the rest of you I have seen my fair share of conflict and hockey “drama” with the parents in the past year. Like many of you who write to me, I have been disappointed by people who act irrationally, or vindictively, and by those who sometimes lose sight that we are actually doing this whole hockey thing for the kids, and not parents’ egos. I have watched parents act more like children than the children they are belittling. And, I have made some mistakes, too. I am reminded that this whole hockey journey is one that grown-ups can learn from just as much as the kids.
So, as we look forward to 2013, I have three simple wishes:
– That hockey parents will stop and think before any rash decision, “Is this about the well-being of my child, or is this about my own ego?” I continue to think this would resolve a lot of those “politics” problems.
– That every child who wants to play hockey is able to find a welcoming centre to play, and that they can afford to play;
– That my own children will continue to develop, and love to play as much as I love to watch them.
And, I guess, one final wish – that Canadian Hockey Moms, and Hockey Moms across the world will continue to be as entertained and educated by our “conversations” as I am. Thanks to all of you for your comments, emails, Facebook posts, I learn from you, and you make me laugh, every single day.
I wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy New Year, Hockey Moms!
What are your hockey memories, and hockey wishes for the New Year?
I’d love to hear from you. Leave a message on our Facebook Page or email contactus@CanadianHockeyMoms.ca
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