It Takes a Village....Part 1

I have always believed that It Takes A Village To Raise A Child.  Steve and I have always chose to surround ourselves with those that had the same value system as we do.  Cora gets so attached to friends that we have always wanted to make sure that she had people in her life that helped her realize her true potential.

When Cora decided she wanted to play hockey......little did we know that by saying the word "yes" that this flood of people would come into our lives and teach us so much about our daughter.  But what prompted this entry was the picture below of Cora and Coach Cail and Coach Spencer.  Last Sunday was her last practice with them.  So I thought I would start my "It takes a village" blog with All that we have learned from our hockey "village".

Cora with Linda during Hockey 101 2010

#1 Yes.....Girls do play hockey!

David Teas teaching Cora how to tape her first stick

#2 Some things aren't meant to be rushed.  Savor the moment.

#3 Your hockey bag can NEVER be too big!

Coach Spencer, Cora and Coach Cail

#4 Cora will move faster if you are following behind her banging a hockey stick on the ice.

Cora with Coach Nate and Coach Matt (Coaches from Summer Stingray Camps)

#5 The one that you think is so rough and tough usually isn't!

#6 You should always consume Hershey Dark Chocolate with a friend!

#7 The one with the most signed pucks in the end WINS!

#8 Friendship knows no age.

Tommy Goebel (Ohio State grad) signing Cora's buckeye necklace.

#9 Just having one thing in common can connect you to someone for life.

Cora with Dan Eves who was traded to the Cyclones.

#10 Saying "goodbye" really stinks sometimes  ALL the time.

Cora with Jake Hauswirth during Skate with the Rays....talkin' hockey

#11The lessons of life are sometimes merely a whisper....We must learn to listen.

Cora watching Nikita during warmups last season. This is my favorite pic of them!

#12 Knowing what success looks like.

Nikita was the first player that Cora decided was her "favorite".  He is really great with her.

#13 Being someone's buddy is a bond that cannot be broken.

We saw Johann the night he busted his teeth and he told Cora that he looked like her!

#14 Looking up to someone is one thing....looking exactly like them is another!

I have always said that I truly hope and pray that these men know they mean to my child.  And I hope that they realize the impact that they have on her.  I love them for loving her and for treating her like the little sister that follows behind and won't go away! 

And to our Stingray friends and to all the players and coaches.....thank you for our life lessons of hockey!

~Cora's Mom