I received some text messages today. He is returning tomorrow. After 100 games missed, Sidney Crosby will lace up his skates and take the ice in a home game versus the New York Islanders.
I thought I would be happier to hear the news. But I am writing this blog from Children’s Hospital, where my son, Jordan, was admitted today because he has problems with asthma. I heard about the news right before I cried with my son as the nurses struggled to find a vein for his IV for his medicine.
On Friday night, I took my son ice skating. He begins lessons in December. He has been on the ice quite a few times in the last year. He loves it. On our way to the rink, he told me he was going to skate super fast and that when he grows up he is going to be a good hockey player and that he is going to play with Sidney Crosby. I smiled from the front seat and told him “I hope so, buddy.” He told me he cannot wait to be big enough to play hockey and how he is going to practice. He loves Sid.
My son is 3. He knows what he wants in life. He knows what makes him happy. He didn’t fall once on Friday. I took him off the ice for a break (mostly a break for my back from leaning down to help him so much) and he cried and told me he had to go around two more times. Out we went. He paced me pretty well as I skated backwards, holding his hands, guiding him along. “I’m going fast, mommy!” I was so proud.
What does this have to do with Sidney Crosby?
It has everything to do with Sidney Crosby. No matter how much my son loves hockey and how good of a player he may become one day, his health is first and foremost the most important thing. People lost sight of this with Sid being away from the game for so long. I write this blog tonight because I don’t care if my son ever picks up a hockey stick again in his life (believe me, this kid has a rocket of a slap shot for someone his age!) if it means he never has to spend another night in the hospital.
So as my only child, the one person I love more than anything in the world sleeps next to me, having just received one of what now seems like countless breathing treatments in the last 24 hours, I want you all to think about this as Sid takes the ice tonight: If he was YOUR son, would it have been worth his health to return to the game even one day sooner than the doctors had said? Never mind his career, but his health and safety. Would it have been worth the risk to see him on the ice back on November 11th, like so many thought, if he wasn’t totally ready just because YOU wanted to be entertained? Just because the suspense and rumors were too much for you to handle?
If you can honestly tell me that your answer to that is “yes,” then I feel sorry for you.
I wish Sid well. I hope he has a successful return to hockey with no additional risks and problems regarding his health and safety. I’ll be just as happy as everyone else to see him step out on the ice tonight, though I will be watching from some place other than Consol Energy Center.
Welcome back, Kid. It’s great to have you well again!
Let’s Go Pens.
Hey! Jerome Bettis had asthma and he still made his dreams happen!!!! And so can your son! I hope he gets well soon. God Bless.
Well said! Every time I heard some jackass “reporter” (note the initials there) or idiotic yinzer fan wise off about Sid returning I would think of the scene in Gladiator when Maximus hurled his sword into thue crowd and screamed “ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!?”
Even if the Pens weren’t absolutely dominant without Sid, any rational human would agree that Crosby is a son, a brother, a friend, a person. He isn’t some slave sent out to fight wild beasts; he’s a human being and his health and life after hockey must be taken into account above all else.
I hope your little guy feels better really soon. Breathing troubles are HORRIBLE. They hurt, they’re exhausting and they are really scary.
I’m praying for you guys, and all of those who just want to be entertained.
Thank you for saying so eloquently what I have been thinking. Sid is a young man who is, undoubtedly, the best hockey player in the world, but he also deserves to have a full life without traumatic brain injury.
As a mom and new grandma I hate to hear you little guy is sick. I’m sending positive healing thoughts for you and Jorden.
All the best. Let’s Go Pens!