Intangible Things I Carry

Eyes glued to the television, nearly none of the plush sofa behind me is being used, absorbing every flash of movement, every light and image that dances across the screen.  Thud…Thud…Thud..Thud.ThudThud.  My heart begins to race as the game clock ticks down to zero.

Everybody carries many things, especially intangible things.  Intangible things are feelings, thoughts, responsibilities, emotions, interests, ideas, and such.  One such intangible thing that I carry is love and adoration for the sport of hockey and the Montréal Canadiens.  I don’t know how to explain it, or why I carry it.  Maybe it is because of the speed, intensity, and excitement that hockey itself carries.  Or, maybe it is because of the emotions that are triggered when I step on the ice and skate those first few warm-up laps.  It could be a response to how hockey engages the competitive spirit ingrained in my being.  The thought of working with my teammates and helping achieve a joint goal also weighs upon my shoulders, but it is a light burden, not a heavy one.  I relish the responsibility that is placed in me every time I jump over the boards for my shift.

The other half of hockey that I carry is my passion for the Montréal Canadiens, the most storied and celebrated franchise in the NHL.  The reason why I carry this passion is much easier to trace back than the reason for why I love hockey.  My mother is from Montréal and my earliest memory of my family in Montréal is watching Canadiens’ games on Saturday night.  Since then, my obsession with the Canadiens has only grown.  As I sit here writing this now, I realize that my passion for hockey could stem from these early memories.  Either way, the Canadiens have always been something that I can fall back upon and take a break from the mental stresses of school and everyday life.

Hockey and the Montréal Canadiens, although they seem like leisure activities, have significantly influenced my life and who I am today.  Hockey is the reason for my attendance at Hebron Academy.  My hometown school does not have a hockey team.  During my eighth grade year, I made the life-changing decision to go to Hebron for my high-school career, instead of just going to Oxford Hills.  I needed to be able to play hockey.  I yearned to continue to carry it, even though it would require a lot more work and big changes in my life.  Moreover, the Canadiens serve as an escape from my day’s stress and relax and calm me, even when they lose.

The red jerseys rush up the ice.  My body flies into the air, losing all inhibition.  I anticipate the last buzzer and the Montréal goal horn signifying a win. The game is almost over, but I will still carry it forever.