Uphill Both Ways

[SpicyGecko 100]

Uphill Both Ways

 

Written by: James P. Sullivan     

Published by: Prague Morning 

October 17th 2021

 

The sound of skates on ice could be heard throughout the valley, echoing off the towering mountains that stretched as far as the eye could see. As the sun slowly sets over the mountain tops, a tall figure could be seen flying around a small pond with a hockey net at one end. Behind the lake stood a vast, gorgeous log house with wisps of smoke coming from the stone chimney. Two shorter figures step onto the ice and start skating around, shooting pucks into the net. A woman's voice echoes out "time for supper" and the figures on the ice make their way to the house. It's been 15 years since George Sanderson played professional hockey, in this moment he is 45, and married to a gorgeous woman from France whom he has 2 kids with. This was the happiest George ever was in his life. After George retired from the VHL he went back to Czechia where he played for a couple of seasons in the Extraliga for HC Dynamo Pardubice. Continuing to play hockey was George's way of filling the void in his life left by the VHL but it didn't feel the same, George missed the atmosphere, the crowd, his teammates and the speed of the VHL.
 

George met his wife, Madeline, at a party after one of his hockey games in Czechia. She was 2 years younger then him and a professional skier, it took some work from George but eventually he got her to fall in love with him. They got married at a cottage tucked away in a forest with a handful of friends and family in attendance. George retired from the Extraliga at the end of that season, he decided that he wanted to start a family and hockey is something he would pass on to his kids. George and Madeline moved to Norway and built their dream house just outside of Oslo next to a pond that was frozen the majority of the year. They had 2 boys and as soon as they could stand, George had them on the ice. To keep himself busy, George worked in a local shop selling all sorts of supplies and clothing including hockey gear and skates. This kept him involved in his community and gave him more purpose, helping other kids to pursue their dreams. There were no hockey rinks anywhere around where George lived, they just used the ponds and lakes that surrounded them. Madeline continued to ski in the mountains, joining clubs and participating in competitions. Once in a while she would take a trip to Sweden with her team leaving George alone with the kids. When George and his wife got sick of the cold weather, they would vacation to Italy, France, or Czechia visiting family and enjoying the sights and beauty. As their kids grew up, one developed a true passion for hockey whereas the other was more passionate about science and discovery. George supported his kids fully and equally, sending them both to prestigious universities to peruse their dreams while getting an education, something George didn't get much of. 

 

After sending his kids away, the void that they filled was empty once again. George tried many different hobbies, jobs, and activities to try and fill the void but none of it worked. Madeline could tell he was depressed, lost, and spiraling just like when she first met him. They went to see therapists together to try and find something that would work, the only viable option left was a change in scenery. They bought a house in France, closer to their kids who were going to school in Germany. This helped George but only for a few months, he wasn't happy and couldn't find anything that made him happy quite like the VHL did. Madeline tried everything she could but eventually his depression was taking a toll on her. They tried to make it work and pull it together but to no avail. Madeline missed the mountains and the snow in Norway, it wasn't the same in France and she missed their house. Madeline moved back to Norway and took her parents with her, she continued to ski as much as she could but enjoyed spending time at home. George stayed in France trying to find himself while trying to support his kids at the same time. Once in a while, when he could muster up the energy and confidence, he would drive down to the hockey rink and shoot a few pucks around. George's kids would come visit him when they could, bringing treats, decorations, or other gifts. He went to visit his parents once in a while and would go watch a Extraliga or VHL game. When he was back in Prague, he would connect with any of his old teammates that were also in town. George was good at hiding his emotions and feelings from others, he would tough it up and make it look like he was fine. None of his friends really knew what he was going through and George didn't plan on telling them. 

 

The reality check came when George got a call from Norway, his wife was in an accident and had passed away. She was driving home from one of her ski trips when a drunk driver crossed over the center line and hit her head on. George's biggest regret was that he wasn't there for her in Norway and didn't spend more time with her. George sold his house in France, gave the house in Norway to Madeline's parents, and moved in with one of his kids who just graduated from university and was now working for a research company. His other kid was very busy making a name for himself in the hockey world, playing in the Extraliga just like his father did. George spent as much time as he could with his kids cherishing every moment. He went to every hockey game that he could, and would cheer him on from the stands. When he couldn't make it to the game you could find George watching his son on the TV. He felt happy in the moment but when the moment was over, devastation and depression set back in. He wished his wife was there to see their kids grow up and become successful.  

 

(1056 words)

Disclaimer: This was kind of a forced article, I am not really happy with it but TPE is TPE lol