I am A Goalie Mom…

I am a goalie mom. There, I said it…those two dreaded words: Goalie Mom!

I am not even sure how it happened, but those two little words have forever changed my life and brought my heart so much joy, happiness, heartache, pride and even palpitations. The Fitbit reading during the championship games, shoot-outs, playoff elimination games has at times been what I think may have been borderline hospitalization!

These two words are also two words that I want in my life forever and cherish immensely. Being a goalie mom means that I get to watch and be part of something that not 1 but that both of my children love.

I have been there jumping for joy with so much pride. I have there for wiping the tears (both mine and theirs), and there has been a lot of tears. I have been there during the games they were “supposed to win” but somehow lost and became the scapegoat, I have been there for the games they were “not supposed to win” and be a hero. I have been there when pucks have gone off their face (mask) and felt my body literally shake with fear. I have been there when being called to center ice to accept their MVP or Gold medals and capturing it on film. I have been there when coaches have yelled from the bench clear as day for all to hear “you should have had that” after a goal. I have been there as parents have given a standing ovation to a remarkable save. I have been there when they have opened a final tryout letter indicating “thank you for trying out, better luck next time” – these letters make you fall to pieces. I have been there when they have opened tryout letters that say in big, bold letters “congratulations, you have made the team”. I have been there when they have gotten the hook (even if not deserving of it) and watched the disappointment as they skate away with a rink full of people watching. I have been there when they have been called upon in a do or die situation. I have been there when after an OT loss just collapsing with defeat in the net all alone with the weight on an entire team on their shoulders. I have been there in a Gold medal game when smiles are huge, and that same team is hugging and chanting his name after victory. I have been there when new pads are being purchased wondering how can I afford this? I have been there watching my 9-year-old carry a hockey bag, pads, and stick through a snow storm into the arena. I have been there when the alarm has gone off at 4:45 am for a 6 am practice. I have been there for those 2.5-hour long car rides to a game that is not even “their game”. I have been there to pack protein bars, apples (they must be green!) and chocolate milk and even grilled cheese sandwiches on the run. I have been there for parent meetings and handing over literally thousands of dollars worth in cheques for the season. I have been there to tie skates, and buckle pads and pray that they will be safe out on the ice. I have been there freezing, when the part of my body that is warm is my feet – thank you Uggs!  I have been there consistently to give pre-game “good luck hugs” and post game “I am so proud of you hugs”.

I have been there……and I will continue to be there as I am their biggest fan, and they are my heroes! It’s funny; people often say, “goalies are weird”. Why is that? I, for one think any human being who makes the brave decision to play this position is strong and resilient. It takes guts and grit. It takes determination, it takes a thick skin, and quite plain and simple it takes COURAGE!

I know so many mom’s have been there too. Therefore, I look forward to sharing my experiences which of course are sometimes good, sometimes bad as well as some ugly truths along the way.