Thank you for stopping by my blog! I don't always write consistently, but will work to share my thoughts more often. I write about everything from hockey, my business, personal experiences, and inspirational messages. Please read, enjoy, and feel free to share.
You survived 2020...be proud of that
Happy New Year! I don't know about you, but I am ready for this year to roll over. It's been...interesting...to say the least. At the same time I also can't believe the year is over. March feels like it was 8 months long, and it seems like everything since has just flown by. It's been the "time of no time," time keeps going, but I've felt...paused.
The last couple of days I keep seeing posts asking "what is one good thing that happened to you in 2020", or "what's your biggest accomplishment this year", or "what's one positive thing that happened in 2020". I know that I had a lot of good positive stuff happen this year, but honestly when I see these posts, the only thing that comes up is that I made it through without my depression ruling me. And it seems like a silly answer to some, but for those who do struggle with depression, this was a rough year. Not only is there the stress of the pandemic, and worry about you or your loved ones getting sick, but there's the added stressors on top of that. Some of us have financial worries because our jobs aren't happening, others have to homeschool their kids when they are also trying to work from home. Still others are suddenly isolated and without people to talk to, not able to see their loved ones, and not able to do any social activities. For those of us who struggle from depression, these are all things that could send us spiraling. Which is why I am proud of myself for not doing that. Sure, I had some rough days, but I always let them go, and made the next day better.
I see you. If all you did was make it through this year intact, I'm damn proud of you. Whether you realize it or not, you made it through a lot that could have stopped you. That could have put you on the floor in the fetal position. That could have made you give up. And if you're reading this you didn't. You did not give up. There may have been days where you sat and cried because it was nothing else that you could do, trust me I had a few of those. But the at the end of it you picked yourself up, you dusted yourself off, and you kept on going. So if you see these posts about accomplishments, or positive things that happened and you really can't think of any, Remember this. You made it through this year. You made it through so much trauma and stress and you're still standing. Be proud of yourself. Hold on to that. Because it's a really big deal. My mantra since March when our hockey games were canceled has been "I cannot control what's going on around me, but I can control my reaction to it". Some days I don't hold true to that, but honestly it really is what's gotten me through the last ten months.
Actually, now that I think about it, there is something else I am proud of. It's still a work in progress, but I feel like I've made huge strides. What is it? I have been working on loving myself. Treating myself like I treat others. It's hard. One of the hardest things I've done. But so very important. Because how can I expect others to love me when I don't actually love myself? How can I be proud of who I am when I say mean things to myself about my looks, or get down on myself for not being as productive as I think I should be? As awful as the pandemic has been, and as hard as it's been being isolated, it has given me time to work on these things. When I look in the mirror and I see myself looking tired, and maybe heavier than I would like to be, I used to say that to myself. To put myself down. Now I look and I say out loud "you're beautiful" and I smile. When I am stressed or feel like I am not doing as much as I think I should be I remind myself " you are doing a damn good job. There is so much going on, and things aren't normal right now, and you are doing a damn good job every single day." At night before I go to bed, along with going through some things that I am thankful for, I also remind myself that I am doing a good job. It all may sound silly, but it's working. It's helping. I still have a long ways to go, but I am finding that loving me, being kind to the person in the mirror, makes me feel so much better than putting myself down or berating myself for not getting enough done. Duh right? Seems like such a simple concept, but I know I am not the only one who forgets to speak to myself as if I am speaking to someone else. Rule of thumb. If you wouldn't say it to someone you love, don't say it to the person in the mirror. So next time you find your inner voice saying something mean to the beautiful person in the mirror, shut it down. Replace it with something better. Slowly it will become a habit.
Thank you for reading. I hope my ramblings help someone who may be dealing with the same thing. Happy New Year, be safe, stay home, and keep taking care of yourself and others around you.
Namaste
Finding Peace in this crazy world
There's a lot going on in the world right now, and as an empathetic person, it's easy to take it all in, and allow myself to get down and sad and angry because of it. There are so many moments lately where I feel so helpless, so frustrated, so unable to help or make anything better. I know I'm not alone in this either. I see my friends posting about their struggles, I see my mom hurting from it all, I see my family struggling to stay happy. This is why it's so important to find a release. Something, anything, that gives you peace, even a for a moment. For me that's the water. It always has been. I am so blessed to live 15-20 minutes from the lake, and to have found a park where I can swim in clear, beautiful water. I have to go in the morning so that I can avoid people, but it's so worth it.
This morning I almost didn't go. It was overcast and 58 degrees since it rained last night. I could have easily decided not to, but I made the choice to go anyways, and I am so glad I did. No one was on the lake or at the park. The water was like glass and emanating a beautiful peace. I spent almost an hour in the water. Stretching, doing yoga poses, floating, and swimming. Reveling in the feeling of my body gliding through the water, barely leaving a ripple as I swam. Nothing on my mind except the feeling of the water surrounding me, and the strength of my body to be able to pull me through the water so effortlessly. At some point the sun came through the clouds, and I could see little ripples of sunlight on the sand below...floating along like little fairies. It was perfection. I could also feel my dad with me, and my Gram. Keeping me company, encouraging me, adding to my strength. I felt all of my worries, all my stress, all of my grief and fear drain away as I cut through the water, leaving only a feeling of peace and thankfulness.
I'm not even sure why I felt like I needed to share this with you all today, but something told me I should. So here I am, sitting at my computer, still feeling that amazing peace from my swim, sharing my feelings with you. I guess I hope that you can gain a little peace from it as well, and I also want to encourage everyone else to find something that can pull you away from the stresses of the world, and bring you some peace. It may be the water like me, or it may be going for a walk, or a run. It may be coloring, or scrapbooking, or reading. Whatever it is, however busy you are, make time for it. I'm going to say that again. MAKE TIME FOR WHATEVER BRINGS YOU PEACE. It's always important, but even more so right now. You cannot take care of others, you cannot make a difference in this world, you cannot function the way you should unless you take care of yourself first. It's taken me a long time to realize this myself. I always put myself last, but I've been slowly learning to put myself first instead, and I encourage everyone else to do the same.
Much light and love to you all.
Small business spotlight #6-Mandi's Muses
Welcome to my sixth small business spotlight of the season! If you missed the first five, you can find them here. My hope is to show you a few amazing small businesses you can support during the holiday season and beyond. Each time you purchase something from a small business, you are supporting an individual, a family. You are helping to pay their bills so that they can continue bringing you beautiful products and amazing services. We appreciate your business more than any big box store, or big business where it just goes to someone with plenty of money already. So please consider supporting the businesses I plan on sharing here over the next couple of weeks, as well as others in your community!
Name:
Mandi Konesni
Business Name:
Mandi's Muses
What products do you offer?
Jewelry, bookmarks/accessories, custom creations.
Why did you start your business?
I've always loved gemstones, and learning about their healing properties. When I realized I could find gemstone beads, I learned to make my own jewelry to offer customized options to friends and family for healing purposes they wanted/needed.
Holiday special:
On site- 20% off orders using code SUPPORT20 when you spend $20. For Customs- $3 off customized jewelry item.
What's the best way to contact you?
Using the Contact form on her site.
Thank you for joining us! I hope you will check out Mandi's items, and do some shopping for yourself and your loved ones. Not much is better than a handmade gift! If you have any questions, please see the contact information above.
And keep an eye out for our next spotlight: Dawn Sullivan. She will also have a deal available just through this blog!
Thank you for supporting the individuals and families who own small businesses!
Small business spotlight #5- Red Headed Scents
Welcome to my fifth small business spotlight of the season! If you missed the first four, you can find them here. My hope is to show you a few amazing small businesses you can support during the holiday season and beyond. Each time you purchase something from a small business, you are supporting an individual, a family. You are helping to pay their bills so that they can continue bringing you beautiful products and amazing services. We appreciate your business more than any big box store, or big business where it just goes to someone with plenty of money already. So please consider supporting the businesses I plan on sharing here over the next couple of weeks, as well as others in your community!
So, let's get going! Today's spotlight is Red Headed Scents. I've worked with Heather for several of my author events, and she was easy to work with and has delicious smelling products!
Name:
Heather Coker
Business Name:
Red Headed Scents
What products to you offer?
The bulk of the business is hand poured soy candles/wax melts, and all natural body scrubs. I do, occasionally, also do swag orders for authors (magnets, key chains, lip balms, etc.)
Why did you start your business?
I used to work at JoAnn's and picked up on a ton of different crafts. I started making things like candles to give to friends and family when I needed quick gifts, and eventually just said "hey, let me try and make a business out of this since everyone seems to love what I give them"... And here I am!
Holiday Special:
15% off purchase at my Etsy shop With code BLOG15
What's the best way to contact you?
Email: [email protected]
Thank you for joining us! I hope you will check out Heather's items, and do some Christmas shopping for yourself and your loved ones. Not much is better than a handmade gift! If you have any questions, please see the contact information above.
And keep an eye out for our next spotlight: Mandi's Muses. She will also have a deal available just through this blog!
Thank you for supporting the individuals and families who own small businesses!
Small business spotlight #4- InMySpareTime
Welcome to my fourth small business spotlight of the season! If you missed the first three, you can find them here. My hope is to show you a few amazing small businesses you can support during the holiday season and beyond. Each time you purchase something from a small business, you are supporting an individual, a family. You are helping to pay their bills so that they can continue bringing you beautiful products and amazing services. We appreciate your business more than any big box store, or big business where it just goes to someone with plenty of money already. So please consider supporting the businesses I plan on sharing here over the next couple of weeks, as well as others in your community!
Without further ado, let's introduce business #4, In Mysparetime. I have worked with Brenda for all of my Author Events, where she has provided amazing swag both for our readers and our authors. She is sweet, creative, and puts love into everything she creates. I've enjoyed getting to know her over the last few years, and I'm excited to share her business with you!
Name:
Brenda Buschmann
Business name:
Inmysparetime
What products do you offer?
Handmade decorative items that include sarcastic magnets, stamped metal jewelry, journals, snowflakes, advent calendars, custom creations. Swag for authors or events.
Why did you start your business?
As a way to supplement my income & also to justify my crafty supply buying habit.
Holiday Special:
25% off 1/4" Aluminum Cuff Bracelets $8- Hand Stamped. You can choose from ones I have stamped and available or choose a saying of your own. (if you have a large order or a special order please contact me for time/delivery expectancy)
What is the best way to contact you?
Or
Phone: 573-694-1505
Thank you for joining us! I hope you will check out Brenda's items, and do some Christmas shopping for yourself and your loved ones. Not much is better than a handmade gift! If you have any questions, please see the contact information above.
And keep an eye out for our next spotlight: Red headed Scents. She will also have a deal available just through this blog!
Thank you for supporting the individuals and families who own small businesses!
Small business spotlight #3-Kruse Images and Photography
Welcome to my third small business spotlight of the season! If you missed the first two, you can find Life Force Creatives here, and Obsidian Reflections here. My hope is to show you a few amazing small businesses you can support during the holiday season and beyond. Each time you purchase something from a small business, you are supporting an individual, a family. You are helping to pay their bills so that they can continue bringing you beautiful products and amazing services. We appreciate your business more than any big box store, or big business where it just goes to someone with plenty of money already. So please consider supporting the businesses I plan on sharing here over the next couple of weeks, as well as others in your community!
Let's meet my next spotlight! Wait...it's me! I figured since I am running these spotlights I should share my business as well as let you get to know me a bit.
For those of you who don't know, my name is Shauna Kruse, and I am the owner and photographer for Kruse Images & Photography. My main focus is drool worthy book cover photography, but I also love doing family photos, senior portraits and more. Read below to see how I got started, some of my favorite photos, and a couple of deals I am offering to readers of this blog.
What services do you offer?
As I mentioned above, my main focus is providing exclusive book cover photography. I work with some amazing models, and have galleries full of gorgeous photos that would be perfect for book covers. I have a little bit of everything, from cowboys to sexy santa, hockey and football, sweet couples, and steamy shots that would make any reader want to pick up your book and check it out! I am beyond proud and honored to have my photos on over 400 book covers, and it still blows my mind when I get to hold one in my hand. I work hard for my authors and offer payment plans on my images. Below are just a small sample of some of my favorite photos that are available. If you are an author and would like to see more please contact me.
In addition to book cover photography, I also offer family photography, newborn/maternity, senior portraits and more. I typically do outdoor shoots since it is so much easier to capture a family's personality when they are outside enjoying themselves. There's something pretty amazing about the fact that so many of my images are on walls and in albums all over the world.
Why did you start your business?
I was raised in a small business household, always helping my parents with our business, whether it was rolling beeswax candles while we watched TV at night, helping to bottle the honey with my dad, or going to shows with them to help sell our product. I was always a little entrepreneur, making beaded earrings, wreaths, or dream catchers to sell at the craft shows. So it only makes sense that I ended up starting my own business. Why photography? It's something I've been passionate about my entire life, since my mom gave me her old camera when I was 8 years old. I was always the one carrying my camera around and get togethers, and parties, and after getting my degree in Environmental Policy & Planning, ( no, not photography...) I somehow ended up in Lake Tahoe, taking family photos at Heavenly Ski Resort. After moving back to Seattle with the same company, a weird turn of events left me unemployed, I decided to go all in on my business, and here I am.
Then in 2014 I discovered that I could combine two of my passions, reading and photography, and now have all of these beautiful books on my shelves with my photo on them. You can check out my authors and covers here.
This year I am also offering a nature calendar that highlights the beauty of the Pacific NW. There are 12 of my favorite nature photos taken around the area by me! It is perfect for you or for gifts! Click the photo to order.
Holiday special:
Mention this blog, and receive $50 off any photo session, or $50 off any exclusive book cover. Contact me to book, or to see the galleries if you are an author.
What is the best way to contact you?
Through the this website, or on my facebook page.
Also make sure you are following me on twitter and instagram
Thank you for joining us! I hope you will check out my site and book a shoot or consider using me for your book cover. You can also do some Christmas shopping for yourself and your loved ones in my store, or with my new calendar. If you have any questions, please see the contact information above.
And keep an eye out for our next spotlight: In My Spare Time. Brenda has some amazing, creative items and will also be offering some specials through this blog!
Thank you for supporting the individuals and families who own small businesses!
Small Business Spotlight #2-Obsidian Reflections
Welcome to my second small business spotlight of the season! If you missed the first one, find it here. My hope is to show you a few amazing small businesses you can support during the holiday season and beyond. Each time you purchase something from a small business, you are supporting an individual, a family. You are helping to pay their bills so that they can continue bringing you beautiful products and amazing services. We appreciate your business more than any big box store, or big business where it just goes to someone with plenty of money already. So please consider supporting the businesses I plan on sharing here over the next couple of weeks, as well as others in your community!
Okay, are you ready to meet our second small business? Please welcome Kristina Canady with Obsidian Reflections. This is another one that is close to my heart, because I have used Kristina's services, and she has helped me more than I could possibly explain. She is kind, caring, knowledgeable, brilliant, and has a special magic touch to help those who come to her. I would highly recommend anyone trying her services. I honestly don't know that I would have made it through the last 18 months without her help. So let's get to it, and learn some more about this amazing woman and her business.
Name:
Kristina Canady
Business Name:
Obsidian Reflections
What services do you offer?
Obsidian Reflections offers holistic wellness coaching for nurses and others, to assist individuals with collaborative care plans that address their mental, physical, spiritual and emotional needs. I have an emphasis in PTSD, anxiety, stress and depression management. I can provide sessions in person, or via facetime or skype.
Why did you start your business?
I started my business because I am incredibly passionate about this work and feel it is my purpose to collaborate and assist others in their journey to healing. In a world full of quick fixes and band-aid solutions, people deserve guidance into full spectrum solutions that address and balance all of their needs.
Holiday special:
Mention this blog, and receive your session for $35 which is 50% off the normal rate
What is the best way to contact you?
Text or call 720-263-2269 or message on facebook to ask questions or book a session.
Thank you for joining us! I hope you will check out Kristina's services, and do some Christmas shopping for yourself and your loved ones. Not much is better than the gift of health! If you have any questions, please see the contact information above.
And keep an eye out for our next spotlight: Kruse Images & Photography. (oh hey that's me!) I may have a deal available only through this blog!
Thank you for supporting the individuals and families who own small businesses!
Small Business Spotlight #1- Life Force Creatives
Welcome to my first small business spotlight of the season! My hope is to show you a few amazing small businesses you can support during the holiday season and beyond. Each time you purchase something from a small business, you are supporting an individual, a family. You are helping to pay their bills so that they can continue bringing you beautiful products. We appreciate your business more than any big box store, or big business where it just goes to someone with plenty of money already. So please consider supporting the businesses I plan on sharing here over the next couple of weeks, as well as others in your community!
So without further ado, let me introduce the 1st small business spotlight, Life Force Creatives. This one is close to my heart because it's my mom's business. It was formerly known as "B-Dazzled Creations by Andrea" but we recently renamed it to honor the business my parents have had my entire life, as well as make it so we can add more items under the same business name as we come up with more.
At the top of the blog I talked about how important your patronage is to small businesses, and this one is no different. Many of you know that we lost my dad close to 18 months ago. With that we also lost his income since he always made planters, ran their melaleuca business, set up shows for them to do and more. He's actually the one who came up with the idea for these necklaces and helped to make them. So my mom and I have been trying to figure out how to get income coming in for her to supplement her small savings, and getting her necklace business going is one of the ideas. So each purchase may seem small, but it's a huge deal for her, and can help her to buy groceries, stay in her house and more.
So here's a little bit about the business.
Name:
Life Force Creatives run by Andrea Kruse (with help from me, Shauna Kruse)
Why did you start the business:
My parents have had a small business as long as I can remember. My dad was a beekeeper when I was growing up, and we produced honey, candles and mead. We went to shows around the PNW, and I would often go along and help them. The business was called Life Force since bees are the life force of the entire natural world.
Later, my parents had a sweet red bell pepper sauce they sold, and added a three berry jam to their shows. My dad was always innovative and looking for new things, and about five years ago he found the idea for 8 strand crocheted necklaces. He watched videos on how to make them, then taught my mom as well, and "B-Dazzled Creations by Andrea" was born.
What products do you offer?
We offer crocheted 8 strand necklaces in varying colors. They are made with beautiful ladder yarns to offer depth and beauty. Some even have a little sparkle, making them look like you are wearing a necklace made of gemstones.
The necklaces are perfect for casual wear, or to add a pop of color to that little black dress. They are light, and are perfect for travel and anyone who may have metal sensitivities. They are perfect for a gift as well, with a variety of colors to appease anyone on your list! They are also light for shipping, and fit well into stockings. So grab a few for friends and family and one for yourself today!
Contact information:
Email: [email protected]
Thank you for joining us! I hope you will check out the sites above, and do some Christmas shopping. If you have any questions, please contact the email above.
And keep an eye out for our next spotlight: Obsidian Reflections. She will have a deal available only through this blog!
Thank you for supporting the individuals and families who own small businesses!
One Year Humboldt Strong
One year.
It's been one year since I was at a birthday dinner with some friends, and one of my hockey moms sent an article about a bus crash in Saskatchewan involving a hockey team. We read about it, and started following it while we were still at dinner, hoping it wasn't that bad. By the time I got home, more and more details came out, more and more bad news. I couldn't stop checking it, hoping that there were survivors. Hoping that no one else died. My heart shattered every time they added a new photo to the list of those gone. I couldn't stop crying.
I may not know these kids. I may not know these families, but as I saw all the beautiful lives lost, the young lives cut short by such a horrific incident, I couldn't help thinking of all the Thunderbirds players I've watched and gotten to know. I couldn't help thinking of all of my hockey families I've become friends with, and my heart just kept breaking. I watched the next few days as more and more was released. Crying, heartbroken. Helpless to do something. Wishing I could help somehow. Then as time went on I watched the go fund me rise to unthinkable numbers. I watched as the entire hockey community came together to grieve. To support. To begin to bring hope. I put my stick out by my door, where it's been since and will be for the foreseeable future. I watched as hundreds of thousands of people did the same and once again was blown away by the hockey community.
In June I lost my dad, and suddenly I was able to understand the grief on a personal level, something I never wanted to be able to do. To have your loved one when you go to sleep one night, then have them gone in an instant the next day. It's a different level of grief of course, since these families lost kids, but my heart went out to them even more. Two days before my dad died I received a Humboldt Strong bracelet from a beautiful soul on twitter. It hasn't left my wrist since, and in the weeks following, it brought me strength and got me through, just seeing those yellow crystals, just knowing that so many people around the world were wearing them and pouring love into their bracelets. Somehow I could feel that strength.
This winter I went on a road trip through Saskatchewan. The most important thing we did on that trip was stop at the Humboldt crash site. The air changed as we drew close to the intersection. You could feel the weight of what happened there. The day we went was bitterly cold and windy, which seemed fitting. There was deep snow surrounding the crosses, so at first we stood at the perimeter and just looked. But I felt like I had to get closer. To look at each and every cross and each and every item, to pay my respects. I also wanted to leave something, and chose a small crystal I had with me. I had been carrying it around with me since two days after I lost my dad, and it just seemed right to leave it with those lost at that spot. So we trudged through the knee deep snow, and even though it was so cold, we took our time to look at everything that was showing through the snow. So much sadness, so much loss, but yet so much love with all of the items that had been left for the 16 lost. I left my crystal on the base of one of the front crosses, with a little prayer, and a lot of love. I honestly don't even know how long we were there, but we finally pulled ourselves away, got back in the car and silently drove away. A few minutes later I broke down. Crying for the lives lost. Crying for the families left behind. Crying for the survivors who would never be the same. Crying for my dad. My friend silently held my hand as the tears ran down my face. I am so thankful that we went a couple of hours out of our way that day. It was necessary and needed.
Over the past year I've watched as the survivors picked themselves up. They've set seemingly unattainable goals and surpassed them, spoken publicly, and done things I'm not sure I'd be able to do after such a tragedy. I've watched them inspire a world with their strength. I've watched them change the world through their actions. Every day my I am blown away by the strength I see in these 29 families. In the kids who are broken but not bent. In the parents who lost their heart and soul. Not one day has gone by when I haven't thought of the families who lost so much one year ago. They are always on my mind and in my heart. As I said, I may not know these families. I may not know the kids, but I sure know and love a lot of families just like them. I may not know them, but they are part of our big beautiful hockey family. And we are ALL Humboldt Strong. Today and every day.
Hockey isn't just a game
It's the end of another hockey season, and this one seems harder than most. It's just a game right? It shouldn't be this hard at the end of the season right? It will all start again in August and until then there's plenty to do right?
See. That's the thing. It's not just the game. It's a family. It's an amazing game I watch while surrounded by people I know and love. And this season happened to also be my sanity, my therapy, my reason to keep going, because there was always a hockey game to look forward to. The games were one of the few times I could forget about what was going on in the rest of my life and how much I miss my dad, and how my business is slow, and how hard it all is right now. I could go to my barn, be surrounded by amazing people and lose myself from puck drop until the last whistle. I could be happy and involved, and just watch my team play.
Hockey is so much more than just a game. It's the people I meet and spend dozens of games with for the entire season. it's the people who understand my passion for the game, and share it, going through the same highs and lows as our team does. It's family. It's the couple who sits next to me who has had to deal with my emotional ups and downs this year, yet still took care of me and always had a kind word or hug when I needed it most. It's the couple that invited me on the Eastern swing with them since they knew it was something I wanted to experience but also knew I couldn't go on my own. It's my friend who made sure I went on that same trip when everything fell through last minute, because she knew it was something I needed. It's this same friend who has checked in on me, and brought me beautiful gifts throughout the year so I knew she was thinking of me. Hockey is the family we've known for five years that we just hugged tearfully after the game, saying goodbyes that are really just "see you laters." It's the players that you get to know on and off the ice who you get to watch grow from quiet, shy 16 year old kids into confident, strong leaders.
Now let's talk about my Thunderbirds. This team was pretty amazing. They struggled through the first half of the season. Never giving up, but never quite getting there. It's a young team, so we weren't worried, and could always see glimpses of the future which makes it all that much more exciting. Win or lose, I support my boys. Then suddenly in January, something shifted. This team that was last in the Western Conference, that wasn't supposed to make playoffs suddenly started winning. Then they gained more confidence and won some more. Then suddenly playoffs seemed like a possibility. A slim one, but a possibility nonetheless. Then our captain, the heart and soul of our team went down with a broken wrist, probably out for the season, and the playoffs seemed a little further out of reach. A couple weeks later he came back and led this team like he wasn't wearing a giant cast on his wrist, never missing a beat. The last part of the schedule was daunting. Playing most of our games against teams with winning records, and quite a few games against the top teams in the conference. But this team had no quit. They battled through the top teams in the league. They'd get knocked down and get right back up again. The little team that could. The underdogs. This team full of young players led by some amazing 20 year old players suddenly gelled and worked their way into the playoffs to the surprise of everyone but those of us who cheer for them and know their fortitude. So. Damn. Proud. Of. This. Team. They took the top team in the conference to six games, and made them earn their series win. Most of the games were close, and honestly, with a few different bounces, and some minor changes, this gritty team full of youngsters could have won the series. I can't wait until next year to see what they can do.
So yes. I cried last night. I cried when I watched our captain make his way down the line of his teammates, hugging them. I cried when I saw one of our other 20 year olds hugging his teammates, knowing it was the last time either of them would be on this ice, with this team. It's the end of an era for them, and a step into the unknown. I cried when I got to the concourse and saw the parents I've now known for five years and seen on a regular basis. For the record, they were crying as well as we hugged over and over. I cried knowing that suddenly I have a wide open schedule without seeing my hockey folks, without that release, that escape to distract me from everything else. So no. Hockey is not just a game. It is so very much more, and I am proud to be part of the Seattle Thunderbirds' hockey family.
Some people may never understand why I cry at the end of the season. Why I plan nine months of my life every year around hockey, but my hockey family gets it. And that's all that matters.
Until next year....
(is it August yet?)