It takes time to learn, overcome nervousness, get used to something new, make progress and figure things out. Case in point, your budding hockey career at the age of six.

In my last blog (December 10) I mentioned how you’ve come so far already since your earliest hockey days. I wanted to follow up and tell you about your debut and share photos of the moment you + hockey joined forces.

Always eager to introduce you to the sport (the only major sport he didn’t play as a kid or in high school), your Dad made a skating rink in your backyard in Somersworth. The Clickman’s were invited over; Ben joined you on the ice.

In January, 2008, your Dad put your first pair of hockey skates on your feet, brought you outside and you got to experience what  a thin blade of steel feels like beneath your feet for a brief, shining moment.  You tried to stand up with your Dad’s help – here’s a photo!

Only two years and 3 months old, it was probably a confusing debut as thoughts rushed through your head like  “Do people actually stand on these things? Why’s my Dad’s not wearing skates? He’s got sneakers on!  Gimme my boots!!!”

The seeds of persistence you showed three years later (headline of my last blog) were planted on this cold January day by a loving Dad who had a vision of your future.  Who knows, maybe someday you’ll play varsity on a high school hockey team, wouldn’t that be cool?

That’s a long way off, so for now just keep doing what you’re doing, trying hard, learning, improving and never, ever giving up.