Moments

Over the course of my life I have played on many, many teams. Hockey, baseball, ringette, volleyball, basketball....I don't know what else. Through sports I have met many people and made countless friends - some of whom will grow old with me. I know this. Being on teams had always been and continues to be a blessing in my life. 

There is one team in particular that will always stand out in my mind as 'the one'.  Like Gretzky - it was the great one.  It was a hockey team I played on years ago.  There was something about this group of girls.  We had chemistry - we just clicked.  I was in University and was spending many weekends in the winter traveling all around Ontario with this team.  We had fun playing a game we loved.  Whether we were on road trips in the car, in our rented team vans or buses - we made so many memories. We didn't become 'the one' overnight either. Some of us played together for a few years.  Some players left, some new ones joined - but at some point we had formed the perfect group.  It was a time of my life I was very happy.  

We worked very hard that season and we had a really good team. One of the older player's once said to us after a game; "You know, I've played on other teams with a lot more talent, but I've never played on a team this good." We all laughed, but we knew it was because of our chemistry.  

At the end of that season we played our final game at the provincials in Brampton.  The one we had practiced and prepared so much for - and we won.  Champions.  We were the number one team in Ontario and it felt amazing. We lined up on the blue line in anticipation of them announcing our team so we could accept our trophy. I looked over at my good friend beside me. She was someone I had played with for years and someone who is NOT emotional - but she was crying.  Not an overjoyed happy cry either. It was a cry of sadness.  Surprised of course, I asked her what was wrong. She said "It's over.  I can feel it". I was caught off guard.  I had no idea what she meant.  Then she said "This is it for us.  It's the end of our team.  Were done and I'm sad." A few of us told her she was crazy - that we would all be back next year to do it again - like we always did.  But she said we were wrong and continued to cry. Which, of course, spread like wildfire and then everyone was crying - even our coaches. 

I will never forget that moment of my life. 

And it turned out - she was right.  That next year our team DID fall apart.  It blindsided me.  It changed everything.  Friendships were lost and people were hurt.  Directions of peoples lives changed that year.   

But here is what I don't get.  How did she know?  It was a time when everyone was celebrating a victory.  A time when everyone was happy with who we were and what we had done.  A time when we had no indication of the fall out to come.  I don't know how, but somehow she just knew.  

Sometimes you get a feeling in your gut. I've yet to encounter a time in my life where my gut was wrong.  

I guess she had a moment too.  

Pee Wee's Madhouse

When I was a young buck I eagerly awaited Saturday mornings. Every week at 10:30am sharp you would have found me sitting on a metal chair covered in red vinyl, placed on hideous green carpet directly in front of the TV in the basement. I would be waiting to find out the day's 'secret' word on Pee Wee's Playhouse. Whenever the word was said, I would "scream real loud" right alongside Paul Reuben. That was my absolute favourite show. I LOVED it. I would laugh and laugh and I loved all the characters on the show.

Skip ahead to today, as I laid on my couch sulking with strep throat, I stumbled upon "The Pee Wee Herman Show" playing on HBO. Why HBO is playing this, I have no idea. But watching the show again after 20 years made me question how this show landed on television in the first place. It is so messed up and twisted. It was clearly created in someones drug induced mind.

Isn't it funny how perspective changes in 20 years? It is comforting to know that the innocence of childhood prevents you from seeing the darker side of things. Part of me was slightly horrified today, but another part of me wanted to laugh really hard and if it didn't hurt - I would have.

Minus that whole masturb*ting in public stint, Paul Reuben, tapped into something successful (well, besides himself....hardy har har). I'm guessing it takes a lot for grown man to wear blush and prance around talking to puppets. I'm sure he took quite a bit of chirping from his buddies, but he would have been the one laughing all the way to the bank.

If you are like me and forgot how whacked out this show is, check out this little gem I found. It is "Cowness" (the cow) coaching "Cowboy Curtis" (played by Laurence Fishburne...what???) on how he should act on his date with Miss Yvonne. Pee Wee is pretending to be Miss Yvonne. It is really funny. Try to watch the whole thing.




Favourite of the Day: Um. This video.  My mom is supposed to be bringing me some Mr Freezies soon.  When that happens, it will be my favourite.  Until then...  Meka Leka Hi Meka Hiney Ho.  

Full Circle

I was driving by a cemetery about two weeks ago and I started to think about cremation. I got a little fixated on this and it consumed my thoughts for quite some time. I wasn't thinking about the spiritual aspect of it, but instead, the physical aspect. I was thinking about the people who do that for a living. Can you imagine if that was your job? I wondered if the job became routine for them and they eventually stopped thinking about what they were actually doing all day. I wondered if they were spiritual people or not. I wondered if they worked alone and had only the company of the departed all day long. Many thoughts were swirling around this brain of mine.

Then my life came full circle, as it often does.

Last week I had gone to watch some friends of mine play hockey. After the game we went up to the Sports bar for a drink. As we were sitting there, this man who knew one of my friends came to sit with us and chat.

Well, wouldn't you know it - he cremates people for a living.

I got really excited when I found out and I asked him a ton of questions. I think he was excited that I was excited and he didn't disappoint. He told me everything in detail. Whenever the conversation started to steer in a new direction I quickly jumped in to bring it back to focus. I'm sure my friends were thinking "okay Sara, let it go". And eventually I did.

I love that random coincidental stuff happens to me. Isn't that awesome? I LOVE MY LIFE.


Favourite of the Day: Yesterday in the car with Avery and Darienne, I cranked up "Love Story" by Taylor Swift and we all sung at the top of our lungs. We were so into it that when we arrived at our destination we just put the car in park and kept on singing.

I've been reading this blog and crying every single time I read it. It is a lesson in life to appreciate moments while you can. So I'm going to rock out with these kids every chance I get.

An Actual Conversation

It was my sister Amy's birthday today and we went to see a movie. We saw "The Box" starring Cameron Diaz and James Marsden. Here is the conversation that took place as we walked out of the theatre:

Me: "Hey Aim, remember that time our dog died on my birthday?"

Amy: "Ya"

Me: "Well, I think you just trumped me for the having WORST BIRTHDAY EVER"

Okay, so I'm being melodramatic. But the movie really was that bad. I can't even express the magnitude of it's crapness. Do not give that movie your time or money. Ever.

EVER.

(Also, she didn't really trump me. Because....C'mon.)