In this week's Rewind, Robert Smith continues a well-established tradition as he offers his annual Christmas message to the reading audience. These offerings are intended to be more about the season than the usual horse-oriented themes. This week he delves back in his own personal memory bank for most of the story in hopes that it will bring back a few memories of how simple life used to be.

In previous years I have mentioned how much we enjoy Christmas at our house and while times change and people's lives around us change,  we still fully enjoy the season.  Each year I try to think back of some small memory connected with years past to share with you in hopes that it will perhaps kindle a special thought or two with others. 

I can recall that at probably the age of six or seven I began to take quite an interest in Canada's grand old game of hockey.  It was pretty common back then as it has continued to be,  the dream of many a young boy who has grown up in our culture to one day be a hockey star. While many dream, few make it.  

 

This vintage illustration done by famed Canadian artist Harold Burton shows how children used to entertain themselves long before the days of highly organized sports and recreational activities were popular.  Children skated and played various games on makeshift ice surfaces wherever they could be found.  This picture is entitled "Evening Shadows."  

I began to learn the names of many great players and teams.  Back then the game was made up of only the "Original 6" as they were later referred to.  It was not too easy to follow the games in those days; no TV but we did have our trusty old radios. The names of Foster Hewitt  and Danny Galivan soon crept into our vocabulary. 

As Christmas approached I was asked what I wanted from Santa Claus.  In previous years a new set of PJ's,  a pair of mittens and a toy or two was always welcomed.  However, times were changing and I wanted a pair of skates! Perhaps one day soon I would be the one behind that famous saying "He shoots, he scores!" 

When Christmas morning arrived I was not at all certain that Santa would deliver but I could only hope.  We were not allowed to rise too early but once the "green light" was given we bolted down the stairs.  In my spot in front of the fireplace,  even in the dim light of early morning,  I could see a square package that I imagined could only be one thing.  

Sure enough when I got to open it I found out that Santa had received my message.  My plain looking little pair of Bauer skates were exactly what I wanted! My thoughts immediately turned to how simple it would be to turn into a graceful yet power striding skater once on the ice.  The future was bright! 

The above adult skates look very much like the ones I received many years ago.  My version was a tad smaller. 

However, as so often happens, a slight problem soon became obvious.  Our little town was decades away from its first arena and in fact at this time precious few children of my era had ever even seen the inside of a hockey rink.  We had to wait for a cold snap when the local pond might freeze.  Soon a solution presented itself.  My loving and caring Aunt Doris, who always celebrated Christmas with us, came to the rescue.  She lived about 15 miles away and her town had an outdoor skating rink! 

I immediately accepted her invitation and in a heartbeat my plans were back on track.  It would be a big venture for me as I am sure I had never been away from home on my own.  Being with Aunt Doris would be the next best thing. 

When the big day came I am sure that I was excited. I could see the rink through the front window at my Aunt's house.  Once my skates were on,  we were ready for the next step.  Suddenly things were not as rosy as I had planned.  Walking in skates was no easy task but we made it.  

Once out on the ice I soon found out that this new challenge was not going as smoothly as I had hoped.  If falling was part of the process, I soon became very good at it.  I could fall frontwards, backwards,  to the right or left! My wobbly ankles would certainly need some fine tuning.  I soon felt all alone as my Aunt said she would leave me for a while to "practice" but she would be right back.  

Upon her return she summoned a couple of older boys she recognized.  She was an elementary school teacher and probably knew quite a few of the kids who were whizzing past me (and probably laughing at my ineptness).  As I recall they seemed none too enthralled with their "tutoring" job and after what seemed like a token effort they soon abandoned me.  

Well day one was not a great success but the overall experience was a positive one.  After a day or two and more practice sessions,  I headed for home with two important lessons accomplished.  I could survive for a short time away from home on my own and it was obvious that my impending career in hockey would remain a work in progress.  In a short time I learned that all new challenges in life take time, patience and above all else work and perseverance.  

One winter back about this time my brother (in the background) and I became the beneficiaries of a sleet storm that turned our yard between the house and barn into a large skating rink.  He built a hockey net using Purina jute bags and we enjoyed a few days of "hockey" activity.  Based on the photograph above I am pretty sure I was in the Detroit Red Wing farm system by this time but don't recall ever being called up to the big leagues. 

I did eventually learn to skate and always enjoyed it.  My hockey career was non-existent but I have always loved the sport.  I never rose much past a pond hockey player but most of my colleagues did not make it either.  I soon realized there were lots of other avenues open in the road ahead.  

I am proud to have grown up when I did.  We didn't have all the material items that nearly everyone has today but we still had the important things in life.  It was a simpler day and time but a good time ! I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.  I have been blessed to have a loving wife and family to celebrate every Christmas with. Each year is a joy. 

In closing I would like to wish everyone in the Rewind audience the merriest of Christmases and the best of the coming New Year. My thanks to those of you who enjoy reading my tales of bygone days and for the many who send in comments or contact me personally. You folks make this all worthwhile.  Remembering our past is so important.

Quote For The Week: "Try to be a rainbow in somebody's cloud." - Maya Angelou 

Who Is It?  

Can you identify this once well known trainer and driver along with his principal owner and a stable member.  This photo appeared in the 1954 Christmas issue of Hoof Beats magazine. 

Note about the above photo: This oldie is but one of literally "thousands" sent to me (and many others) by the late Don Daniels.  Don was a treasure to the world of harness racing as he sought out countless old photographs and other treasured memorabilia and shared them with so many people.  He left us back on New Year's Day 2023.  His many hidden gems and his memory lives on.  

Who Else Is It?  

Speaking of the old days of hockey,  who is this once well known fellow? Hockey was his game but he often visited the backstretch at Richelieu Park and Blue Bonnets.