The NHL Season 2017-18 was a flop for the Canucks but for Donna and I, it was a smashing success. Her ability to read crowds– they are reacting out of emotion, after all– keeps her both in the game and energetic about it. The third period of a game can be a lot more dicey; Like all of us but with a more drastic drop off as a result, when games are more than 2 hours (and almost all of them are) Donna gets tired and less focused. That aside, her enjoyment of these games and the look on her face during the presentation mentioned below sits very, very well in my memory.
The Twins have retired now, and with them no one but Edler has a name that means something she can immediately relate to. She took in a few of the last games played by two of the last players she will have that emotional reaction towards. Makes the fact we sat through a 5-0 thrashing by the Ducks a lot easier to take in hindsight. That’s the only game we’ve left early since I began going with her awhile back.
This was a strategy for me to help both of us get through Winter; Mom is more alive– as am I– outdoors in warmer, good weather. Winter leaves so few options for us that getting her and I out to these games was worth the cheaper-because-we-suck-now price.
December 2, 2017
Mom has been a big hockey fan her whole life, but to take her to the Leafs game tonight was a calculated risk. Having her grab gently at my arm while the opening was happening (Daniel was honoured for his 1000th point achievement in the prior game) and say “I’m so glad I’m here for this!” with a little glee on her face was more than enough proof. Other than saying food she doesn’t like is “okay” if I made it, she has literally no guile.
We beat the Leafs, mom was able to eat something there (soothing my only concern) and after we dealt with the awful lack of access for the Skytrain & managed to get home I declare a big win. Last time I went with her was 3 seasons ago, when she was first living back home. Tonight was so much easier, everything is. We arrived home, she is now on the piano and I solved my hydration issue (tonight was also the first hockey game I went to without beer since I was a kid).
It’s time for my peppermint tea, Mom decided to play the Soviet National Anthem unrequested. It’s like she knows her kid or something.
#lifegoals
#achievementunlocked
Post script : Mom has been singing, but more into it. There has been a quiet hesitation to her voice the few times she has before in recent months. Tonight she went into several Xmas tunes, with some “oomph.” This is after she was not only at the game, but had to climb some stairs because of the horrid access near Stadium’s lower level. If she is doing this anyway, she has been energized in all the right ways by the night out… and I in turn, feel awesome too.
Thanks Canucks, if Markstrom had blown it in that last minute there might be a quieter room, something I certainly don’t want.