When my son Andrew was cut from the Thunderbirds AAA hockey program in June 2020 and I watched helplessly as he walked through his shocked teammates and their even more shocked parents to get to me, I dreamed of yesterday.
In those dreams, Andrew doubled down on his work ethic. He doubled down on the things that made him a unique and special kid in the locker room (I’m biased, I fully admit it). He doubled down on learning tbrough failure and disappointment and that he would build a resilience that can’t be built through success. And that one day, he’d get to lace up to play against his former team and have the opportunity to show them what he gained from being cut. It was, as my being fired was for me, the best thing that ever happened to him.
I don’t know which one of the 4 shots he blocked in the last 90 seconds hurt the most, but when the buzzer went capping the Roughriders 2-1 win, I’m pretty sure he didn’t notice. It was, after all, their first win over the Thunderbirds in 2 years.
As I milled around in the lobby waiting for Andrew to come out of the locker room, all the Thunderbird parents who stood with me that day in June 2020 gave me a wink and a smile and were just as happy for him as I was. “He sure looks good with that C.”
Every parent wants the best for their kids. But the parents who want the best for your kid, too? The true gift of sport.
Way to get up and go Andrew..👏👏