The world would be better off with a few more Charlies.
We have known of a few in our time – from an old classmate, some local guys and, more recently, a friend’s grandson we hope to meet soon. Then there is the fantasy variety, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Brown or Charlie the elf, named by the twins many Christmases ago.
It’s a bit of a magical name that resonates and causes us to smile for no real reason.
In recent months we have joined the legion of parents that feel like the local arena is a second home. Between practices and games, some with hours of travel time, rep hockey has become an all-consuming lifestyle. Just as the kids form a bond as a team, parents get to know each other and friendships ensue.
And they better – with practices an hour and a half long, it would be a pretty boring session without people to chat with.
In the first few weeks of the season, we noticed one parent always seemed to have a book. Curiosity comes with our line of work, and we found out she was part of a book club at her office. Each member is responsible to their group for a talk on selected titles. In this case, her book was The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath, of which the gist is as the title suggests – how moments factor into life and what we remember.
Most of us can think of a time where a kind word propelled us to try harder or a negative shot drained us. Instances – good, bad, traumatic or inspiring – happen every day and affect people in different ways. Life’s moments may make us, but how we master those moments becomes the quest. It was an interesting discussion.
At that point in the conversation, the buzzer sounded, and the Zamboni fired up. In 15 minutes (if lucky), two boys would emerge from the change room ready for the trek back to old Eramosa. Heady ideals were replaced with simpler topics like, “did you see that shot” or “can we stop at Hortons.”
Moments.
It had been weeks since that glimpse into the book club when we heard the tale of Charlie. It was close to 11pm after yet another night at the rink.
The team had lost badly that night. No one was happy. Not a parent, not a coach, nor most players. One young lad far too serious for his own good seemed to take the loss especially hard. A generally raucous change room was eerily quiet that night as the kids headed home. And then from a wood bench along one wall, one young lad finally broke the silence.
As a veteran of sorts, having been on the team for several years, Charlie knew of victory and defeat. Hockey is a game and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, he started. Try not to feel bad, everyone has a bad game now and again, but we are a team, he continued. We win as a team and lose as a team. Next game will be better, he promised – and it was.
As an old soul at heart, raised in a loving family, Charlie’s charity in that moment was not a surprise. But, that dose of kindness from a 12-year-old has occupied our thoughts in the days since.
Every one of us has a chance each day to look around and lighten someone’s load. Lifting a spirit, offering hope, extending a hand in friendship, letting the weary know better days lie ahead – those moments will be remembered, have no doubt. It’s a conscious choice to be an agent of goodwill.
Perhaps it’s the melancholy that always seems to descend on us this time of year – a time of revelry when so many amongst us struggle. Maybe it is the very stark realization that far less miles remain on the highway of life than we have already travelled.
But in the end, we are left to conclude there still is precious time on the clock. The game isn’t over until that final buzzer sounds.
Making moments is a choice – thanks for the reminder, Charlie.
As Christmas descends in a few short days, let’s do our level best to help others as we can. May your holiday be festive and safe. And may the world soon know peace.
On behalf of our staff at the Advertiser, Merry Christmas.
