A Question...

From one of my readers:

"... I agree with many things that you say (even though I don't have kids yet). I too need girls weekends and most of my girlfriends live in Toronto or back home (4 hrs away!). I have girlfrinds through my husband ...but its hard to make friends when you're in your 20s and older!

After reading your blog..my personal question to you is: How do you keep yourself happy with everyone always at hockey. You have it 5x harder than I do and I already feel like a hockey widow at times!

OH... I am so happy... a question! lol

Here's the thing, when Sanj and I were first married, I have to admit, it was a very hard year.

Many people will say that the first year of marriage is hard.  For me, it was for many other reasons...

Sanj and his brother owned a house together so the three of us lived together.  That was fine and fun for the most part.  Then a cousin needed a place to stay from England... that made 4 ... and was very hard on me.


I was such a different person when 15 years ago.  I was such a pleaser and wanted to be the perfect wife etc.  It took me a while to understand that change can't happen unless I state my unhappiness or opinions.

Aside from that, I had a very tight circle of girlfriends... in university, where we were always there for each other. It was such a special time.  After graduation, we all moved all over North American.  I moved to Canada.  Here I had no one.  It was a very lonely time.  

Sanj had me yet he also had his sports (hockey, football and baseball), he had his music (which involved a singing group and playing for various venues).  He had work and had his family and a unit of friends that hung out.

He had his whole life here.  Me... I won't lie... I was very lonely.  This was before flat rate or internet was accessible to everyone.  We spent big bucks on phone bills as I stayed in touch with my friends and family.  I was lonely.

I am not sure what I would have done differently... because I was still finding me out.  I wrote... journaled a lot.  I read a lot.  I didn't have a social circle.  I wasn't confident enough back then to seek one out.

I remember when Sanj got a computer at his office, I would drive up to Peterborough and spend the day on the computer.  Microsoft Word was my friend.  I wrote and wrote.

I was so excited to get pregnant.  It was all I wanted... to be a mom.  I think I also felt that I would have someone just for me.  Of course, I don't recommend that motherhood is a fix to loneliness... but I was ready... we were ready.

Sammy rocked my world.  I loved him and loved being his mommy.

We got a computer at home and internet.  AOL was my reconnection into my life I was missing.

Sure I went to some of his games.  I was engaged in his life... but I can tell you that a huge part of me was missing.

We moved to Peterborough the year after and I had a house to care for and a baby.  Of course, now my mom lived with us.  There was always someone that lived with us for the first 5 years of our lives together.  That part was weird but I guess it is also who we were.  Our home has always been open to those that needed a place.

From this point... I was mom to many babies very quickly (by choice and planned).  I loved it.  I was still lonely as far as having friends.  I missed my friends so much.  There is nothing like having a best girlfriend(s) that you can just complain, share and chat.

I still miss those friendships.  Those friendships that you make from that time period in life are just so different than the ones you make later.

I didn't find fulfillment in girlfriends till the boys went to school.  There I found a place that  was for me as well as the boys.  Soon as the boys had play dates, I started meeting moms that soon became friendships.

It is the natural process of things, I suppose.

I tell all this to say this... when I was in my 20s, as is this reader asking the question... I was lonely.  I wish I was able to give you more than that ... but it is the truth.  It was hard for me to be in a new place and meet people.  In Peterborough, it may be easier... maybe finding a common thing.. the gym (I hear, lol, is a great place..., reading groups, take a class for fun, photography, church groups...

How I handle being a hockey mom and widow now... I have to admit, 85% of the time... I love and appreciate the quiet time of being home... yet usually it is never alone.

I can be honest and say that this year, I have been lonely.  With hockey, for Sanj also, his work, his meetings, coaching the boys and his (ugh) doctoral classes... I have been lonely.  We haven't' had the time to just be.  Yet, I know this is only a season.  Doctorate will be done in April... Hockey.. 5is weeks and counting!

This said, I could really use a girls night out.  That is when guilt takes over.  I really hate leaving the boys home, especially on the weekend.  That is my own issue, of course.  Yet I do really enjoy them snuggled on my bed on a Saturday night watching Hockey Night in Canada.


Loneliness is a part of life, I think.  Even when you are in the midst of people, you can be lonely.  The fix for loneliness is connection.  For me, anyway, I love people.  I feed off this.  I am at my happiest when I make a connection, though.  It is one of the reasons I love blogging.  I love the anonymous' that I connect with, I love connecting through this means.  For me 

So.. maybe you are asking the wrong person.  I really do enjoy writing and watching a chick flick when time allows.  I appreciate Facebook that allows me to be in touch with so many of my friends from yesteryear.

So.. I guess in many ways.... I am a hockey widow still and always will be.  It is part of my lot in life. At the same time, as I watch them play, working it out on the ice... I am glad and grateful that this... hockey is a part of their world... as I know it could be so much other yucky stuff.

Does anyone want to chime in?