Hockey fever has been alive in our house all season long. And now with the Canucks just one game away for the Stanley Cup, it has reached a feverish pitch.
The neighbors watching might wonder, what’s that all about? Or might mistakenly take it as a by product of our Canadianism. Trust me it is about something much more important then that. Simply put the Stanley Cup run is exactly how we strive to live.
It’s about community or tribe which ever term fits you well. Reports from last nights win put close to 100,00 folks together in one place, celebrating rejoicing (I know as with most things in life there were a few unsavory characters doing less then that). Closer to home, my phone was ringing as I connected with friends and family, sure the initial contact was “Yahoo we won” but the calls ended with “I love you and am glad you are in my life.” In my social media world there were tons of virtual high fives. Alongside reminders that from California to Vancouver Island I have folks who I could stay with should I wish to dash toward Vancouver to join in the celebration. And those connections are alive even when the hockey fever settles down.
It’s about passion. These athletes are mentoring children the world around in what it can look like when you follow your passion with determination. It is rough, you can get hurt their are plenty of mistakes to be made along the way and every now and then you breath in the scent of your dreams and it revives you.
It’s about enthusiasm. The kind that gets you up off the couch cheering. And heck life with out continuous opportunities for a variety of enthusiasms ain’t worth much (in my somewhat loud but humble opinion).
It’s about dreams. The having of dreams, the pursuing of the dreams and the sharing of dreams. We will not all win the top seed in our given sport/activity/interest but it feels good to join in and get a taste of it from those who will. This sort of event is a reminder that with in each of us we have dreams, big big dreams and the ability to put all of our effort in to reaching them (written with a tear as I hear a hockey stick hit the driveway out front and a boy shout, “Scores”).
It’s about compassion. I wanted to use the word sportsmanship but the words not quite what I am looking for. Running for a never before achieved title/honor allows us to see the blood sweat and tears it has taken to get there. It allows us to elate in the victory, remorse in the loss and feel for those who inevitably are saddened along the way. Doors open for conversations about adversity. Opportunities for feeling what others might feel both the good and bad are presented game after game. There is a chance as well to talk about your own values and how personal actions convey these to the world. The hit from Rome, witnessing his devastation, reading about Horton’s injury, the suspension have been talked about over and over in our home. The penalties called or miscalled lead to conversations about perspective and choices professionals make in tough situations. Those kind of in the moment heated decisions that require access to personal ethics and responsibility for actions.
It’s fun! Every couple of nights we get to gear up and come together as a family to cheer for a common goal. Heck Ya! (this might be my favorite one)
It’s about history. The living kind potentially being made in your lifetime, with you as witness! No matter the end result the tales will be told to grandchildren.
I want, more that I might admit out loud, to see the Canucks mark this their 40th year with their first ever Stanley Cup. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt the memories and messages my children have witnessed through out this journey, will remain a part of who they are far after the cup is awarded.
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