Growing up in the Toronto suburb of Thornhill, Ontario meant playing hockey was a rite of passage. I played competitive (AAA) hockey for the Thornhill Thunderbirds and skated the ice six times a week. I loved the team and I loved playing. I even loved the team colours, red and white – the colour red has always been my favorite. But back in the 80’s, playing the amount of hockey I did was considered A LOT. Some might even say too much.
Today however, every hockey kid I know no matter what the level, plays multiple times a week. Moms and dads wake up early on the daily, to pack the car and hustle their kids through rush hour traffic to the ice rink. But it’s not for a game or team practice. Nope, they’re headed to individual shooting lessons or the skating treadmill or figure skating workshops. These are just a few of today’s ‘training tools’ and I am in no way passing judgment or criticizing. Trust me, I get it because I was one of those parents.
For years, Tamar and I would end our business days early to get our son Jonah to his hockey games, practices, or extra training. Even though it was tough to juggle, I think Tamar would agree it was it worth it, because Jonah loved it all.
he’s growing, his priorities are changing
In the last few months I’ve seen huge changes in Jonah. He’s growing and maturing. Suddenly he’s going to parties with boys AND girls and he often has kids hanging out at our place on Friday and Saturday nights.
We’re used to the group of kids. Having one, two, or even four kids for a sleepover post game or practice is normal. But having girls around, is very, very new. Jonah is beginning to care a lot more about being with his friends then getting in that additional hockey training. As the hockey season winds down, so too has his desire to play. Jonah remains dedicated and has a great work ethic, but he’s cut from the same cloth as mom and dad.
I wasn’t any different when I was growing up and playing hockey. Once the season was over all I could think about was playing outside with my friends and counting down the days until I left for summer camp.
But hockey season, though intense, definitely has its’ special moments. It reminds me of the time I had with my dad when I was a kid. Times, I will never forget.
this birdie in the nest
Years ago, when Jonah started playing hockey, practices and games were often scheduled at ridiculously early hours of the day. Although I truly hated getting out of bed, I absolutely loved being with Jonah and watching him on the ice. I still do today.
That must have been my father’s experience with me, so many years ago. I can still remember how my father would drag my tushy out of bed every Tuesday morning for practice. And like clockwork, the same breakfast would be waiting for me on the table, ‘Birdie in the Nest’. You may know it as ‘Egg in the Hole’, ‘Toad in the Hole’ or as my friend Carmi called it, a ‘One-Eyed Pirate’. But whatever the name, it was always a simple, tasty breakfast that I looked forward to in those early hours of the day. The buttery goodness of the bread with a perfectly cut out circle where a deliciously fried egg would naturally ‘nestle’ inside. Yum! But I digress. As usual.
Looking back, I especially appreciate the time my dad and I spent driving to and from the rink. I’d listen to his stories and would inevitably try to avoid him cleaning my face by ‘finger lick’. That is, he would always lick his finger to remove whatever remnant of that eggy breakfast was still on my face. You may know exactly what I’m talking about, and you may even do it to your children. If so please stop! It’s gross, just ask your kids!
I look back fondly on those times and a big part of me wanted to create that for me and my son. I think I’ve accomplished that.
the end is near
With Jonah starting high school next year, his competitive hockey years are numbered. Like everything else in life, the older we get, the more our priorities change. Hockey is slowly becoming secondary and as much as I love watching him play, I’m beginning to love our car rides even more. It’s our time together, where we enjoy each other’s company and talk about life. He tells me about school, cool shoe stores, new friends and old. Every subject is on the table it would seem, except for girls. But I’m sure there will be a time for that too.
Hockey has come to mean, time spent together. But it’s also given him invaluable tools he can use for the rest of his life.
From the first day he stepped on the ice, Jonah’s learned that if you put in the work, you’ll achieve your goals. Literally and figuratively. He’s worked hard to build a solid work ethic, one that I’m proud of. He’s also learned the value of playing well with others in life’s ‘sandbox’. While different personalities may mean different relationships, everyone deserves respect, and Jonah’s learned that lesson well. Our discussions have never centered on scoring or getting assists but on the work itself and the choices one makes. Isn’t that life in a nutshell? And a little luck never hurts either!
It saddens me to think there are only a few more years left of making him breakfast and driving him to the rink. The end is near. We’ve gone from discussing which restaurant to eat at after a game to which subway station to drop him off at, so he can meet his friends. His evolution into a man is astounding and I can’t help but think that our drives to the rink have had an impact on who he is and will become. I look forward to the day when I’ll be sitting in the passenger seat as he takes the reigns to drive.
No matter which seat I’m in, Jonah has made me proud because he continues to win at the biggest game of all. The game of life.
quinoa and eggs
Our household has graduated from ‘Birdie in the Nest’ to a rolodex of breakfast favourites. Some days it’s French Toast, while on others it’s Salami and Eggs. But if Jonah is feeling particularly adventurous, I’ll make him my own favourite, Quinoa and Eggs. Yum!
No matter what the meal or topic of conversation, hockey has created something I’m forever grateful for, quality time with my son. Sure, some parents believe their child will play in the NHL, and undoubtedly some will. But Jonah won’t and that’s ok. I’d like to think the vast majority of parents are like me – enjoying the car rides and early morning breakfasts for as long as they can.
I shot and I scored too. Big time.
