(CHCI OFSAA Bball Champs - taken from the wall at the Kitchener Aud)

 

Sports are obviously in flux right now.

 

We know that they're coming back - slowly but surely - and hopefully safely.

 

And when they do, they will bring joy to our lives as they always did.

 

It'll be exactly the same - except different.

 

In the meantime, here's a poem I wrote a few years back as a tribute to those better angels that exist in all of us.

 

Be smart and stay safe, my friends!

 

 

Here's To The Ones…

 

Here's to the parents who know when to offer advice, when to think twice and when to stay silent and wait.

Here's to the ones who pack road trip lunches, travel in bunches and are there to help lace up a skate.

Here's to the parents who coach and/or manage, learn how to bandage or happily tally up stats.

And here's to the ones who lug goalie gear, know how to cheer or subsidize all the team hats.

 

Here's to refs who just do their best, even when it's a mess and cope 'til the temperature drops.

Here's to the ones who study the rules, suffer no fools and handle the game's flips and flops.

Here's to the refs, when facing the manic, know not to panic and unto themselves stay true.

And here's to the ones who abhor lateness, appreciate greatness and deep down, are simply  just sports fans, too.

 

Here's to the coaches who act as role models, bring water bottles and have practices meticulously planned.

Here's to the ones who know how to teach, try not to preach and encourage as much as they can.

Here's to the coaches who make fitness a must, believe in what's just and clinics, will often attend.

And here's to the ones who give up their time, for nary a dime and teach kids to try 'til the end.

 

Here's to the fans who show when it's not close, temper their boasts and sometimes wear paint on their face.

Here's to the ones who ride on The Wave, clap for a save and stay 'til the end of the race.

Here's to the fans at the end of their rope, who never lose hope and concede with a dignified grace.

And here's to the ones with pride on their sleeve, who remember to breathe and stay loyal even when in last place. 

 

Here's to the kids who give it their best, no matter the test and don't see a loss as a fail.

Here's to the ones, no matter their ranks, who always say thanks and listen when dad tells a tale.

Here's to the kids who appreciate mom, the grandparents who come, and remember to laugh now and then.

And here's to the ones who continue to play, even when they turn grey, and learn to love sport 'til the end.