We spent this afternoon at our second home, the ice center. We've been there at least twice a week since last summer. Thing 1 developed a fixation on hockey well over a year ago that has grown significantly. I don't mind it one tiny bit. They both began ice skating lessons last summer and it is the only activity on which Things 1 and 2 agree. Hockey lessons followed skating lessons for Thing 1, which have been followed by some one on one sessions with a favorite mentor, clinics and now a much anticipated mid-season start with the ice center's house league. His first game is tomorrow night.
We are there a lot. A lot. It's where we celebrated last Easter and where we went on Christmas Eve when the grown up bonus kid was here to visit. Sunday afternoon holds a drop in 'stick & puck' for the hockey player in one rink and an open public skate in the second for the diva, which is an ideal scenario. Thing 2 has mastered the claw machine in the arcade and I imagine if Thing 1 didn't show up one weekend they will call from the pro shop to see what's happened to him. We are there a lot I say, and I really do not mind it.
As often as we are there, the blessing in it is not yet lost on me. I don't think there's been a trip in which I don't remember where we were two years ago. Thing 1 wasn't consumed with hockey facts but worry and fear. I wasn't shuttling kids to and from an ice rink. I was rushing their sick father to and from doctors appointments, chemo treatments, scans, tests and hospital stays while the kids bounced between home and Grandpa's. They weren't mastering new skills, making new friends or sliding freely across ice with expressions of pure joy on their faces and I wasn't present with them to enjoy it. Yes, there are days that school, work and skating is a challenge to squeeze in or there's a load of chores waiting at home on the weekend, but I am so grateful for it.
I was a little dumbfounded recently to hear a parent say no to basketball because they didn't want to sacrifice their weekends. I do think I just say yes and try to make things work without much second thought to it. But if I do give it thought, I want to spend my weekends at the ice center. I want to watch Things 1 and 2 learn new tricks and slide across the ice with expressions of joy. My perspective is that I should want to sacrifice my time, as well as limbs and a lung if necessary to see my kids learn new things and enjoy life. That might seem a bit much, but I spent five years of my life hanging out with people who actually did. I hope I don't lose sight of that and the blessing is never lost on me.
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