On December 19th,
at five pm, the Hamilton Huskies Minor Novice MD White team were standing in a
line getting some last-minute instructions.
They had spent weeks preparing for this; the boys were focused, wearing
their red shirts, and ready. It was time
to go – only, this time they were not taking to the ice, they were at the Eva
Rothwell Centre on Wentworth Street North, stocking the shelves with
non-perishable food that they had collected together, as a team.
The boys took to their task displaying the same focus that they take to the ice with. It was easy to see the determination on their faces as they picked-up load after load of food, located the space where it was to go, and placed it with the same enthusiasm that they show when they are on the ice playing hockey. There were words of encouragement, high-fives, and laughter – all outward signs of a team enjoying what they are doing, and the opportunity to work together.
Our young Huskies players left that evening with a warm feeling of gratitude. They left with the understanding that they are fortunate to have the great experience of playing Huskies hockey with each other; to have parents that take them to and from practices and games. Also, there were other things that maybe they have taken for granted every now and then like having a warm place to live, clothes to wear, and enough food on the table to eat.
The next afternoon when the boys took to the ice again, they did so knowing that their seemingly small donation of food and time was making a big difference in the lives of others that they may never meet. More importantly, sometimes it is the things that we learn away from the ice that teach us how to be better people when we are on it.
Written by a Very Special 7MD Parent
