Canadian Working MOM

Happy Canada Day

Another year gone and another opportunity to celebrate being Canadian. Here is an older priceless photo of us celebrating Canada Day in fashion.

To see if you are truly Canadian or you want to see if you can be, I invite you to assess your Canadian trivia chops in this hilariously gruesome game. You can link to it at the right side of this page.

Great Canadian Trivia Test

http://www.ilaugh.com/games/trivia_shootout/

July 01, 2007 in Inspirational Moments | Permalink | Comments (5)

Here is a little something sent to me by a great mother I know.  Once again, I have no idea who the original author was, but this has made its way through chain e-mail and it is definitely something we should share.  I would like to dedicate this Mother's Day to all those military mom's (both deployed as soldiers, sailors and airmen) in addition to the military wives and mothers who are keeping the home fires burning at home while their significant others are deployed abroad. 

It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN , not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN , not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN ,
who salutes the Flag,

It is the veteran ,
who serves under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.  God Bless them all!!!

______________________________________________________

Mothers

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their ca rs, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.  And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway?

Is it patience?

Compassion?

Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache! you fee l when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

Please pass along to all the Moms in your life.

Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall.

Please pass this to a wonderful mother you know. (I just did)

HERE'S TO YOU!

I am only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair spray I use and the girlfriends I have.

Here's to you! Why do we only have parties for each other when one of us gets married, pregnant, has a birthday, or retires?

 

                            What would most of us do without our sisters, confidants, and

shopping, lunching and traveling girlfriends? Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake!

                           Someone will always be prettier.

 

 

Someone will always be smarter..

 

 

 

Their house will be bigger.

 

 

 

 

They will drive a better car.

 

 

 

Their children will do better in school.

 

 

 

 

And their husband will fix more things around the house.

 

 

 

 

                                So let it go, Be Happy!

                        And love yourself and your circumstances.

                                           Think about it.

The prettiest woman in the world can have trouble in her heart.
And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes....might be lonely. And the word says if "I have not Love, I have nothing."

                                                So, again, love you.
                                                  Love who you are.
                            Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say

 

"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!"

                            I like that!
                "Winners make things happen.
                    Losers let things happen"
Be Blessed ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman.
    "To the world you might be one person,
    But to one person you just might be the world".

 

                SEND THIS TO YOUR FAVORITE WOMEN - I JUST DID!

                                HERE'S TO YOU MY FRIENDS!

If you get this twice or more, you are lucky to have more than one girlfriend.

Here is a little advice that my younger sister sent me on:

Everything you ever wanted to know about Women, Pregnancy and Estrogen

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A! : Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

"ESTROGEN ISSUES"
10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "ESTROGEN ISSUES"

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: "How's my   driving-call 1- 800-".
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space".
8. Your not as nice as you used to be and you used to be a w itch
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND

10 Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6 Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

AND, the Number One thing only women understand :

1. OTHER WOMEN

I was sifting through many of my older pictures and found this photo.  It was taken when he was quietly playing and going about his business. Look at the engaging eyes, the dirty face, the stained shirt and the expression.  You have to love him!

This photo says it all.  Here are two toddlers living the Canadian dream, playing road hockey and celebrating every goal as a monumental feat in their world of accomplishments.  Their smiles and energy say it all.   In hindsight, it is refreshing to know that these moments were the humble beginnings of what still inspires the same two boys to strive for greater accomplishments today.

Ok, so it isn't the same GOLD medal the JR team won today, but I must put this forward as an example of the passion and euphoria that our national game ignites in local hockey rinks across this country.  Kids and adults across this country engage in our national sport in hopes of emulating the feeling of the "Big win". 

This Ottawa Canadians team was the brain child of Super Mario who selected 10 of the most rambunctious and talented hockey players in the Ottawa area with the aim of playing a few tournaments together.  With only 10 players for each tournament, the boys learned quickly the power of the pass and why it wasn't worthwhile to take penalties.  After playing together for almost 3 summers and winning so many championships that I have admittedly lost track, it came to an end this past summer 2006.    This is a photo of their last tournament and fittingly they won this too.  Each of the boys have now gone off in different directions pursuing separate hockey goals, however, there is no doubt that their paths will cross again in hockey rinks across the Province.  Several of the boys went to Toronto to play in the GTHL for the Red Wings and Young Canadiens, Connor moved to Sudbury and he is now playing with the Sudbury Wolves.  Another key player went off to Notre Dame College to play.  Although we had moved to Sudbury in the fall of 2004, Connor traveled back to play with the Canadians for two summers.  In this last tournament, ironically the team they played in the finals was from Sudbury.  The players on that team would become his future team mates.   It is so interesting the way our lives are so connected.

I have recently been asking myself whether the entire Minor Hockey efforts and experiences were worth it.   We have always been very dedicated hockey parents who simply want to keep our kids focussed, out of hot water and profiting from the lessons that sport can offer. 

However, this week while working out on the treadmill at the YMCA and watching the final period of the Semi Final game with the USA, I watched a crowd gather around the television monitor.   As the game became more tense, the crowd continued to grow and started to mingle together cheering on our national JR team.  I witnessed Downie who has been no stranger to controversy in the past showing that adversity has only made him stronger.  Approximately 18 months ago, he was in the proverbial doghouse and today, he was more admired then our current Prime Minister. 

I reflected back to days before I headed to the Gulf for Operation Apollo when Canada had won the Gold Medals in the Olympics.  The night of the men's final, we had been out to dinner and when we returned home, the flags were flying out of every car, the streets were full of kids and adults playing road hockey.  After the horrors of 9/11, this passion for hockey, and the stoic efforts of our Canadian men and women inspired our nation in a manner that no leader could ever hope to.  It made me so proud to be Canadian and although I would be leaving my family for over half a year, it seemed to dull the pain and make it feel worthwhile.   I must confess that in every unit I served with, the soldiers, sailors and airmen wore Team Canada sweaters and relived the moment.  These wins really kept the morale of the troops high with an enduring power for most of our tours. 

So, in short, for every parent, player and fan involved, hockey is truly "our" game.  We are all connected and there will always be ups and downs.  The one thing I do know for sure is that similar to the changing mood when the sun finally shines in Vancouver, the bad times are forgotten when the efforts start to pay off and a team wins a tournament, key game or a championship.  For that brief moment, we are all consumed in the vortex of the moment.  The power of such a win is a unifying factor like no other.  This passion transcends all boundaries, economic barriers and ages. 

You know I was thinking.... instead of an upcoming election, perhaps we should just have a 4-6 party hockey tournament with the winning team assuming the leadership for the next four years.  It may sound outlandish, but when has a Canadian leader inspired us the way our national sport has brought this country together. 

Come to think of it, this was the original brain child of Lord Stanley who in his position as Governor General used the sport of hockey to unify this country from coast to coast.   He recognized this, but in this case, the winning team was awarded the Stanley Cup which still ignites passion today. 

As our children have matured over the years, I often reflect back to their dispositions as toddlers and babies.  I have noticed a stark similarity in all of their activities.   Connor is the same today as he was then. The only thing different is the task and the issue. 

I love the expression that the above photo displays.  This is just one example of a jovial child who always decided when he would do what he wanted. Connor is a young toddler exerting his independence and showing us not only is he willing to dress himself, but rather he is ready to move on to the next stage.  When you consider the pains of potty training and having your child make the transition from diapers to underwear, this is a welcome relief.

The second picture is a photo of him making his own breakfast.  Although I had served him waffles and juice, he decided he was having cheese and crackers and here is with the guilty look upon his face as he enjoys every bite of what he wants. Where there is a will, he always found a way.  On a side note, his breakfast choice was much healthier and consequently I snapped the picture rather than noticing that he wasn't eating that which I had served him. 

 

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing"  (Phyllis Diller)

There is so much truth to that statement as most mom's feel this need to keep a perfect house and a need to be a perfect wife and mother while holding down a full time demanding job.  As a working mom, this was admittedly my most difficult struggle.  I felt guilty all the time.  I often felt that my house was never clean enough, it certainly wasn't tidy and I didn't have time to knit and sew as much as I should have. 

However, I learned early on that I was actually a better mother for going to work and that you can actually handicap your child by making their lives too easy.  In other words, you don't always help your child by being the most perfect mother. 

The one thing that I do know for sure is that there is really no harm in enjoying them, spending time with them and stimulating their own creativity.  The photo above was taken when our young toddlers were casually playing and entertaining each other.  We can learn so much from them.  They are so innocent and creative when left to themselves.  We have to find that balance in helping them grow to be self reliant and able to solve their own issues. 

As Ann Landers put it: "In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings."

I recently returned from work related travel and while I was away, I knew exactly what to shop for.... soccer shirts of the country I was visiting.   What else do you buy young male sports enthusiasts?  Our growing collection of soccer and sports jerseys has now become a family custom. 

Over the years, with two parents serving in the military, our travel became routine for our youngsters.  Notwithstanding this, no matter how long we were gone, the one thing we all enjoyed was the homecoming.  When the ships sailed or we traveled to areas where shopping for kids' gifts was not always easy, it was always a challenge to find souvenirs that the boys might find amusing and worthwhile in spite of our absence. 

GIven our boys' love of action figurines, sports and collector's cards, we learned to keep on hand a secret supply of the latest spiderman, batman, power rangers, or hockey and pokemon cards, in the event that either of us couldn't find the "right" gift. 

As the boys aged and they had collected all of the action figurines possible, we had to think of new ideas.  As young soccer players and with the World Cup in the news, our boys started to gain an appreciation of the various nations of the world through their national soccer teams.  Then on one trip, desperate to find an affordable gift, one of us found a "replica" of the visiting country's soccer jersey.  BINGO! it was a hit and it was the beginning of a collection that we still contribute to today. 

With two boys, we try to get one soccer or sport shirt from the National team (of the country we are visiting) and one jersey from one of that country's top club teams.  In countries where soccer isn't dominant or if we travel to other areas of Canada, we seek memorabilia from the local NHL or junior hockey, lacrosse or baseball teams. 

Now many years later, we have a real collection and the boys continue to look forward to what jersey they might get next.  For each jersey in their collection, they know that either mom, dad or themselves have been there and got the shirt.

Happy Mother's Day

Here is a little something sent to me by a great mother I know.  Once again, I have no idea who the original author was, but this has made its way through chain e-mail and it is definitely something we should share.  I would like to dedicate this Mother's Day to all those military mom's (both deployed as soldiers, sailors and airmen) in addition to the military wives and mothers who are keeping the home fires burning at home while their significant others are deployed abroad. 

It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN , not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN , not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN ,
who salutes the Flag,

It is the veteran ,
who serves under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.  God Bless them all!!!

______________________________________________________

Mothers

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they'll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their ca rs, so that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.  And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another woman's child or children, and gave their time, attention, and love... sometimes totally unappreciated!

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway?

Is it patience?

Compassion?

Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache! you fee l when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

Please pass along to all the Moms in your life.

Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall.

Please pass this to a wonderful mother you know. (I just did)

GIRLFRIENDS AND SISTERS

HERE'S TO YOU!

I am only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair spray I use and the girlfriends I have.

Here's to you! Why do we only have parties for each other when one of us gets married, pregnant, has a birthday, or retires?

 

                            What would most of us do without our sisters, confidants, and

shopping, lunching and traveling girlfriends? Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake!

                           Someone will always be prettier.

 

 

Someone will always be smarter..

 

 

 

Their house will be bigger.

 

 

 

 

They will drive a better car.

 

 

 

Their children will do better in school.

 

 

 

 

And their husband will fix more things around the house.

 

 

 

 

                                So let it go, Be Happy!

                        And love yourself and your circumstances.

                                           Think about it.

The prettiest woman in the world can have trouble in her heart.
And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes....might be lonely. And the word says if "I have not Love, I have nothing."

                                                So, again, love you.
                                                  Love who you are.
                            Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say

 

"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!"

                            I like that!
                "Winners make things happen.
                    Losers let things happen"
Be Blessed ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman.
    "To the world you might be one person,
    But to one person you just might be the world".

 

                SEND THIS TO YOUR FAVORITE WOMEN - I JUST DID!

                                HERE'S TO YOU MY FRIENDS!

If you get this twice or more, you are lucky to have more than one girlfriend.

Understanding Venus

Here is a little advice that my younger sister sent me on:

Everything you ever wanted to know about Women, Pregnancy and Estrogen

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A! : Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

"ESTROGEN ISSUES"
10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "ESTROGEN ISSUES"

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: "How's my   driving-call 1- 800-".
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space".
8. Your not as nice as you used to be and you used to be a w itch
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND

10 Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6 Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

AND, the Number One thing only women understand :

1. OTHER WOMEN

Those Eyes!

I was sifting through many of my older pictures and found this photo.  It was taken when he was quietly playing and going about his business. Look at the engaging eyes, the dirty face, the stained shirt and the expression.  You have to love him!

Rambunctious Toddlers

This photo says it all.  Here are two toddlers living the Canadian dream, playing road hockey and celebrating every goal as a monumental feat in their world of accomplishments.  Their smiles and energy say it all.   In hindsight, it is refreshing to know that these moments were the humble beginnings of what still inspires the same two boys to strive for greater accomplishments today.

CANADIAN GOLD

Ok, so it isn't the same GOLD medal the JR team won today, but I must put this forward as an example of the passion and euphoria that our national game ignites in local hockey rinks across this country.  Kids and adults across this country engage in our national sport in hopes of emulating the feeling of the "Big win". 

This Ottawa Canadians team was the brain child of Super Mario who selected 10 of the most rambunctious and talented hockey players in the Ottawa area with the aim of playing a few tournaments together.  With only 10 players for each tournament, the boys learned quickly the power of the pass and why it wasn't worthwhile to take penalties.  After playing together for almost 3 summers and winning so many championships that I have admittedly lost track, it came to an end this past summer 2006.    This is a photo of their last tournament and fittingly they won this too.  Each of the boys have now gone off in different directions pursuing separate hockey goals, however, there is no doubt that their paths will cross again in hockey rinks across the Province.  Several of the boys went to Toronto to play in the GTHL for the Red Wings and Young Canadiens, Connor moved to Sudbury and he is now playing with the Sudbury Wolves.  Another key player went off to Notre Dame College to play.  Although we had moved to Sudbury in the fall of 2004, Connor traveled back to play with the Canadians for two summers.  In this last tournament, ironically the team they played in the finals was from Sudbury.  The players on that team would become his future team mates.   It is so interesting the way our lives are so connected.

I have recently been asking myself whether the entire Minor Hockey efforts and experiences were worth it.   We have always been very dedicated hockey parents who simply want to keep our kids focussed, out of hot water and profiting from the lessons that sport can offer. 

However, this week while working out on the treadmill at the YMCA and watching the final period of the Semi Final game with the USA, I watched a crowd gather around the television monitor.   As the game became more tense, the crowd continued to grow and started to mingle together cheering on our national JR team.  I witnessed Downie who has been no stranger to controversy in the past showing that adversity has only made him stronger.  Approximately 18 months ago, he was in the proverbial doghouse and today, he was more admired then our current Prime Minister. 

I reflected back to days before I headed to the Gulf for Operation Apollo when Canada had won the Gold Medals in the Olympics.  The night of the men's final, we had been out to dinner and when we returned home, the flags were flying out of every car, the streets were full of kids and adults playing road hockey.  After the horrors of 9/11, this passion for hockey, and the stoic efforts of our Canadian men and women inspired our nation in a manner that no leader could ever hope to.  It made me so proud to be Canadian and although I would be leaving my family for over half a year, it seemed to dull the pain and make it feel worthwhile.   I must confess that in every unit I served with, the soldiers, sailors and airmen wore Team Canada sweaters and relived the moment.  These wins really kept the morale of the troops high with an enduring power for most of our tours. 

So, in short, for every parent, player and fan involved, hockey is truly "our" game.  We are all connected and there will always be ups and downs.  The one thing I do know for sure is that similar to the changing mood when the sun finally shines in Vancouver, the bad times are forgotten when the efforts start to pay off and a team wins a tournament, key game or a championship.  For that brief moment, we are all consumed in the vortex of the moment.  The power of such a win is a unifying factor like no other.  This passion transcends all boundaries, economic barriers and ages. 

You know I was thinking.... instead of an upcoming election, perhaps we should just have a 4-6 party hockey tournament with the winning team assuming the leadership for the next four years.  It may sound outlandish, but when has a Canadian leader inspired us the way our national sport has brought this country together. 

Come to think of it, this was the original brain child of Lord Stanley who in his position as Governor General used the sport of hockey to unify this country from coast to coast.   He recognized this, but in this case, the winning team was awarded the Stanley Cup which still ignites passion today. 

INDEPENDENCE

As our children have matured over the years, I often reflect back to their dispositions as toddlers and babies.  I have noticed a stark similarity in all of their activities.   Connor is the same today as he was then. The only thing different is the task and the issue. 

I love the expression that the above photo displays.  This is just one example of a jovial child who always decided when he would do what he wanted. Connor is a young toddler exerting his independence and showing us not only is he willing to dress himself, but rather he is ready to move on to the next stage.  When you consider the pains of potty training and having your child make the transition from diapers to underwear, this is a welcome relief.

The second picture is a photo of him making his own breakfast.  Although I had served him waffles and juice, he decided he was having cheese and crackers and here is with the guilty look upon his face as he enjoys every bite of what he wants. Where there is a will, he always found a way.  On a side note, his breakfast choice was much healthier and consequently I snapped the picture rather than noticing that he wasn't eating that which I had served him. 

 

MOM'S MOST IMPORTANT RULE

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing"  (Phyllis Diller)

There is so much truth to that statement as most mom's feel this need to keep a perfect house and a need to be a perfect wife and mother while holding down a full time demanding job.  As a working mom, this was admittedly my most difficult struggle.  I felt guilty all the time.  I often felt that my house was never clean enough, it certainly wasn't tidy and I didn't have time to knit and sew as much as I should have. 

However, I learned early on that I was actually a better mother for going to work and that you can actually handicap your child by making their lives too easy.  In other words, you don't always help your child by being the most perfect mother. 

The one thing that I do know for sure is that there is really no harm in enjoying them, spending time with them and stimulating their own creativity.  The photo above was taken when our young toddlers were casually playing and entertaining each other.  We can learn so much from them.  They are so innocent and creative when left to themselves.  We have to find that balance in helping them grow to be self reliant and able to solve their own issues. 

As Ann Landers put it: "In the final analysis it is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings."

RETURNING HOME

I recently returned from work related travel and while I was away, I knew exactly what to shop for.... soccer shirts of the country I was visiting.   What else do you buy young male sports enthusiasts?  Our growing collection of soccer and sports jerseys has now become a family custom. 

Over the years, with two parents serving in the military, our travel became routine for our youngsters.  Notwithstanding this, no matter how long we were gone, the one thing we all enjoyed was the homecoming.  When the ships sailed or we traveled to areas where shopping for kids' gifts was not always easy, it was always a challenge to find souvenirs that the boys might find amusing and worthwhile in spite of our absence. 

GIven our boys' love of action figurines, sports and collector's cards, we learned to keep on hand a secret supply of the latest spiderman, batman, power rangers, or hockey and pokemon cards, in the event that either of us couldn't find the "right" gift. 

As the boys aged and they had collected all of the action figurines possible, we had to think of new ideas.  As young soccer players and with the World Cup in the news, our boys started to gain an appreciation of the various nations of the world through their national soccer teams.  Then on one trip, desperate to find an affordable gift, one of us found a "replica" of the visiting country's soccer jersey.  BINGO! it was a hit and it was the beginning of a collection that we still contribute to today. 

With two boys, we try to get one soccer or sport shirt from the National team (of the country we are visiting) and one jersey from one of that country's top club teams.  In countries where soccer isn't dominant or if we travel to other areas of Canada, we seek memorabilia from the local NHL or junior hockey, lacrosse or baseball teams. 

Now many years later, we have a real collection and the boys continue to look forward to what jersey they might get next.  For each jersey in their collection, they know that either mom, dad or themselves have been there and got the shirt.