Husband
January 10, 2020
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It is hard to explain just how huge hockey is for Canadians. I try to explain it to Americans and other foreigners but the message doesn’t really get through. You have to be Canadian to understand why this sport is so important to us. We spend much of the year in snow. In some parts of the country, lakes are frozen over 60% of the year. Kids learn to skate before they learn to walk. Winter sports are mandatory in every elementary school physical education curriculum across the country. Hockey Night in Canada, a hockey show that happens every Saturday night during the season, is an institution here. Families sit around the TV, toasty by the fire, to watch their Canadian teams play (since we’ve lived in the U.S. we’ve paid a special subscription fee to get these games in California!).
This is our game. It is the one thing Canadians will strip down for, will riot over, will shout about. It is our pride and joy. And it is a wonderful feeling to be here, in Vancouver, during these games. The energy is unbelievable.
Go Canada Go!
Tea bags wrapped in wax paper.
A cold nose after a brisk walk.
A fire on a rainy night.
Rosemary scented hair conditioner.
A warm kitchen on a late winter evening.
Fresh baked bread in the mornings.
Candlelight.
Mama’s big hug at night (real and online).
A voicemail from a faraway friend.
Mittens.
An old book, stained and frayed, a favourite.
Just the right sized pillow.
Chamomile tea in your favourite perfect sized mug.
Sunny mornings.
Fleece on the West Coast.
Loud family parties with great food, crazy babies and a zillion aunts and uncles.
The presence of mind to remember gratitude.
