After busy and stressful work days for both me and Dan, we were looking forward to a night with the Cannons - Shannon's old hockey buddies and their families. The 2012-2013 U14B team was finally being honored last night for winning a MN Youth Hockey state championship.
The plan was a banner-raising celebration at Graham Arena, followed by an after party. We didn't make it that far...
It was great to see these girls and their parents. Shannon loved them and we do, too. They journeyed with us every step of the way. But the event we were celebrating last night was a part of the after. They named their team the Cannons in Shannon's memory and they played on without her, just as they should.
Seeing these 16, 17, 18 year old girls all grown up just got to us last night. Dan and I couldn't keep it together. Looking up at that banner with the winged 9 logo on it was just hard yesterday. St. Patrick's Day and we were missing our little Irish girl.Winning a state championship is the pinnacle of youth hockey. Oh, how she would have loved to be a part of that team and have that experience with those girls.
So, yesterday wasn't our best day. Some days it just gets you. That's part of life in the after. We came home and talked and laughed and cried, just three three of us. We soothed our souls with fried chicken and ice cream. We're doing the best we can, and some days are just better than others. We're up today and trying again...
