Cole and his hockey team are just about to enter the OMHA hockey finals. The winner of this best-of-5-game event will be the considered the "best" 1997 AE hockey team in Ontario.
They had a hockey practice tonight. I was hanging out with the rest of the kids at home.
Somewhere in the bowels of the house I heard a heavy wood door slam. A few moments later a sad, brooding, moody boy stormed through the master bedroom to the shower. What? I don't have to ask (read: beg) him to take an after- practice shower?
Ten minutes and much hot water later my athlete boy emerged. For one reason or another, Cole has been pestered by a couple of the boys on the team since the beginning of the season. It hurts and erodes his confidence. I ask, always, why he gives them that power and he says he doesn't it is just that "they're so mean". So, I know the two boys. I get it. I wouldn't want them to pick on me either!
An hour has now passed. A long conversation with both his dad and I. He's ready to ignore those who will drag him down, he knows he contributes to the team in a positive way, he is ready to play.
This whole thing is exhausting. Character building, but exhausting!