MY FAMILY AND HOW PROUD I AM OF THEM ALL
I was born in 1964 and the time of course when we played outside and not video games. We were allowed out until the street lights came on and the biggest past time was road hockey. Anyway I wanted to touch base about growing up in Canada in a family where Hockey was so important. My father sat me down when I was five and told me that I had to give up the little boy skates with thick blades and extra stoppers. Growing up in my house was special. My father as he stated paid a fortune for one of the first color RCA Television. We had the following rules
Even as teenagers the rule was if we lived under my parents roof we had to watch Hockey Night in Canada as a family. Even my Mom watched and we all together enjoyed it as a family. Now the reason is my family is a hockey family. My uncles and father played big time in the NHL. My father played in the stanley cup final as a goaltender for Boston. MY uncles led scoring in the ECHL. My cousin today runs the QMJHL as the President
Back to when I was five and my Dad said I could play hockey and if I gave a commitment he would too. Now as time went along I figured that what he meant was that I had to be up every morning at 430 am for the drive to arena for practice every day Monday to Saturday from 5:00am until 6:00am. we continued that until at 15 my parents were called and told I had been invited to play a higher level where most kids were already 17 and 18. I had to leave my home and be bordered in another city with people who offered the local team players room and board. I found out many years later that it cost my parents thousands even back then. I was blown away that no matter where I played or at what time my parents would travel to the games. I finally figured out that my Dad meant his commitment was that he would support me by never missing a game. Now I was born a frenchman from a french family. Now as get to the years and age of my parents were back then I realize that they gave it 100 percent because I did, I did them proud by making it to the show. I also realize the time to build the rinks. early morning Tim Hortons and never forgetting to open doors for woman. My father was a very strict man is his way and actually not strict in discipline but his teachings.
They are gone now and I can feel that my love for them will and forever be in my heart and soul. The respect growing up still guides me today with my own step sons.
I wrote this as a reminder that I am a STEP-DAD and I so proud
TO BE A STEP DAD ISN'T EASY BUT TO THINK THE GOOD WILL OUT WEIGH THE BAD
I WAS NOT THERE TO HOLD THEM AS A BABY BUT I CAN TRY AND BE THERE TODAY WHEN THEY ARE SAD
I MISSED THERE FIRST STEPS AND WAS NOT THERE TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL OR SEE THEM THE FIRST TIME THEY FELT THE SUN
I NEVER SAW THERE FIRST CANDLES BLOWN OUT OR EVEN THE FIRST THIRTEEN
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THERE FIRST WORD WAS OR EVEN THERE FIRST FOOD THE TASTED
I WISH I COULD TURN BACK TIME AND WITNESS ALL THOSE MISSED YEARS AND BE WITH YOU FOR THEM ALL
THEY MAY NOT BE MY BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN BUT I TRY AND LOOK AT THEM AS MY OWN AND TRY AND SHOW IT AS BEST I CAN
I HAVE MISSED THE FIRST TIME AT XMAS WHEN THEIR EYES LIT UP SO BRIGHT FOR THAT CHRISTMAS FUN
BUT INSTEAD OF LOOKING BACK I WILL LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND THANK MY DESTINY FOR THE BEST PRE MADE FAMILY A MAN COULD HAVE
I WILL TRY AND REMEMBER THAT ANYONE CAN BE A FATHER BUT IT TAKES A MAN TO BE A STEP DAD
My family and old pics
Maurice Courteau
ACTUAL HOCKEY CARD AVAILABLE ON EBAY
My uncles stats
Regular Season Playoffs
Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM +/- GP G A Pts PIM
1939-40 Washington Eagles EHL -- 35 33 68 0
1940-41 Washington Eagles EHL -- 29 38 67 0
1941-42 Washington Eagles EHL -- 34 42 76 115
1942-43 Montreal Senior Canadiens QSHL -- 4 9 13 0
1944-45 Providence Reds AHL 45 32 40 72 45 -- -- -- -- --
1945-46 Providence-N.H. AHL 58 11 57 68 49 -- -- -- -- --
1946-47 Springfield Indians AHL 63 19 30 49 62 2 0 3 3 0
1947-48 Springfield Indians AHL 68 28 64 92 36 -- -- -- -- --
1948-49 Springfield Indians AHL 68 12 36 48 28 3 0 5 5 4
1949-50 Vancouver-Oakland PCHL 35 3 20 23 9 -- -- -- -- --
1949-50 Louisville Blades USHL 40 8 36 44 8 -- -- -- -- --
1950-51 Valleyfield Braves QSHL 51 9 20 29 16 13 0 1 1 26
Embed Paul Courteau stats! | View as text
I feel you. On the stepdad thing, not hockey. I bet your folks would still be proud as hell of you today. I would be if you were my kid.
thank you so much
Nice family history.
I knew "Courteau" sounded familiar. I just could not place it.
Hope your having a good week. Nice place. Glad to see it.
hope you are feeling better to my friend
I am being punished for my deeds and actions. I have no problem with that and would not change a thing. I am at peace and it was a very long hard road to get there. I would like to sit down and have a beer with you. Maybe one day.
You sound so much like Brian with your first statement. I always tell him that if you believe in that rationale, than me and your wife must be being punished for something too! BS right??!!
Oooohhh you naughty girls
It does take a real man to step up and be a step Dad but it sounds like your Dad raised you right and ready for the challenge. I miss the days when the norm was to play outside. My own son is addicted to electronics. It's such a different day and age. Bless your family and bless you. You are lucky to have them and they are lucky to have you. Thanks for sharing!
very nice words and may your family be blessed also. todays kids just play on phones. no more fresh air
That's a cool legacy to have! I didn't get to spend much time watching tv when I was a kid. In fact, not only were we "allowed" outside until it was dark, we were encouraged to stay outside until it was dark. That meant that we were welcome to come inside, but we'd have to do chores and clean.
Good for you for pursuing your dreams. It sounds like quite the adventure. Your parents sounds like the were very dedicated to go to all those games and even travel to get there. Now you have such great memories from it though!
I looked up maurice on ebay and saw there is someone selling a card. That's pretty cool!
cool huh. i have cards and jerseys
That is really cool! Great mementos from your family's history. Those are things you hang onto.
Very special @briancourtreau. As a stepmom I really appreciate your post. Your beautiful wife is blessed that you love her children so much. This one is a keeper @lynncoyle1
awww thanks @buckaroo!! I think he'll do just fine :)
You mentioned the freer lights coming on. Man if I wasn’t in school, I wasn’t allowed to go inside until the sun went down. If the sun was out, I wasn’t allowed in.
haha that's the sign of a smart mom @dandays :)
lol. so true. few good days. i can kick your butt at any board game. come visit lol
(My wife and I are each doing our Steemit thing right now)
I said “where’s Playa Del Carmen?” I had an idea, I know it’s on the gulf.. kinda in line with Cuba, kinda, I think. I looked it up.
Let me start by saying we would love to! Regardless if you’re serious or not. The thing is, she and I live for adventures like that Brian. I’m not making this up; whether we are staying locally or abroad, we don’t book a hotel room until we land there. “Careful what you wish for.”
Just so happens we’ll be air bound from Thailand to Central America around the beginning of the year. I bet a 2 day lay-over, somewhere on the Mexican coast, Caribbean side wouldn’t be a bad idea.
if you land in cancun well we are close and many optiones here. BTW we look after rentals here for people and know the cheapest best hotels lol
Man what a great time that will be! (Catch that?) But really, how cool is Steemit?! I suck at hard bids Brian so I can’t say how or when but don’t be surprised if everything spinning around this globe gets us to a game table sooner than later.
well the best is here. and come down. we have hook ups here for hotels and apt.
Thanks @briancourteau for sharing this Post. So cool about your dad playing in the big league like that. As well as your uncles.
Iam sure you are an excellent step dad :)
I liked your post so much making you a
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Thanks my friend. I am having a few good days right now
I think all Canadian boys are born with hockey sticks in their hands and maple syrup in their veins! I know about the step parent thing. I have two steps sons and they are like my own. They still call me mom after 40 years and their children call me grandma! A nice tribute to your ready-made family.
What a lovely story @briancourteau .. the way you speak about your parents reminds me of the way my boyfriend speaks about his parents, who unfortunately passed away a few years before we got together.
I can feel that they've taught you many valuable lessons by reading your post. Lynn is one lucky woman !
Another thing I want to say is:
Another thing that I've experienced first hand.. my boyfriend took that role for my two oldest when we still lived in Holland. And most people told him he was nuts ;-) He did a great job though and taught them more norms and values in those few years than the actual dad. Unfortunately they're not with me (long story Lynn has read some of it I think, but its a sobby story )
I can only have huge respect for people like you.. I'm sure you've taught those kids things they'll never forget ♡
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