And for every season there is a sport (s)....
Before I say hello to soccer and goodbye to hockey...
Last night was Hockey Awards night and each team presents 3 special awards within the team, voted on by the team members. Ever since he's been playing my son has won the Sportsmanship Award.
The first year he won this and I was whooo hooooing in the car, he said, in his little six year old voice,
"it's not that big of a deal mom, it's just stupid...."
Stupid..... no way my boy, I am sooooo proud of you
dad, will you tell mom that it's a stupid award.....
Dad who is listening to hockey on the radio nods in agreement as if he has a clue about what was just said.....
Did you hear what the coach said.... he said that I even worry about the other team. That just stupid .NOBODY gets an SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD in the NHL.
And he burst into tears.
Dad had to pull over, cause this was a side by side talk. So I got in the back for a cuddle.
We talked about dreams of the NHL, and how with hard work, anything is possible. But I told him he may change his mind, and want to do other things or more things. But I knew that he would never want to change his mind about being a nice person. And there was no better award in my eyes. He agreed.

Since that day, this award has been given to him each year. With the exception of last night.
Last night he was given The Most Improved player award, This is what his coach said:

I know all of you were expecting #9 to get a different award, but this year, it didn't play out that way.
This year was the first season of checking in our league, and for the first few games all the teams did was practice their new gained right to slam each other against the boards. Goal scoring was a distant second.
In about game 4, the biggest brute on the other side slammed #9 into the boards so hard that it made my ears ring.
#9 shook it off and continued. When he came off I asked him how he was and he said OK, but he was not able to shoot the puck real hard. Later that night I learned the check had broken his collar bone clean through. After six weeks off, I expected him to come back a little board shy, but not # 9.... this is one smart boy.
Somehow, in that 6 week mending period, he managed to figure out how that was never going to happen again. He's developed a technique we are all trying to learn.
So # 9, your team has voted you the Most Improved Player.
Standing ovation....... ( just in my mind)

So this is my boy, in a nutshell. Kind. caring, concerned, determined, tough and smart.

When the NHL comes calling, he may decide he wants to do other things, instead and with his wonderful qualities he'll be ready.

I love you #9.