“If you are going to do anything, do it right the first time, and don’t do it half assed.”
You have no idea how many times I heard my mother say that.
All of her sayings growing up were straight from her childhood in Kouchibouguac, New Brunswick.
Life wasn’t easy growing up on the farm, but there was always an undercurrent of humour with the Patterson clan.
A smile and laugh or many for that matter kept the family entertained and always shed light on difficult times.
Nothing was ever taken for granted, everything was earned and you work hard for everything that came your way.
Appreciate everything that work for and always be willing to give back.
At the heart of any farm family hard work, dedication and taking pride in the task at hand was paramount.
Ironically trouble seldom found young Inez.
The youngest of four, my mother seemed to always know how to talk her way out of certain situations.
That didn’t mean she didn’t know how to handle or stand up for herself.
From what I’m told my mother never backed down and always stood up for what was right.
A sense of right from wrong was always firmly entrenched in our home and something I carry with me today.
My parents and especially my mother hard wired the aforementioned quote into our soul throughout our childhood and it has definitely spilled over into every aspect of my life.
“Do it right or do it again” became my coaching and teaching mantra.
“You just don’t do things half assed.”
Take pride in what you do and do your best at all times.
The search for perfection is one thing, but striving for the best or your personal best is something that my mother and father always stressed.
My mom and dad never complained, they were always so willing to support my brother and I in all of our sporting endeavours.
They were always there.
My mother works incredibly hard and tried to excel at every aspect of her life.
Yes that’s right, she’s still working providing care and support for those in need in our community.
After she retired from Nav Canada she made it quite clear that she wasn’t going to just sit around.
She was going to be active and help people.
You see my mom is an inspiration.
My mom always led by example.
Day after day she made monumental tasks in every aspect of her life look effortless.
My mother always put her interests on the back burner for the shake of the family.
The lessons learned growing up in a strict, but loving and caring home will be something that I carry with me forever.
That love and passion was ever present at the rink when she watched our games.
My parents weren’t the prototypical hockey parents.
In all honesty, they were the complete opposite.
My dad was a “stand alone hockey dad” who only cheered once or twice a game for the entire team and stood at the opposite end of the rink even away from our oppositions fans.
Mom sat in “hockey mom alley” but never would participate in yelling or screaming just a lot of movement actually.
I almost compared it to my grandfather watching World Grand Prix Wrestling. She would move, duck and actually throw her shoulder into other “hockey moms” so by the end of a physical game my mother could be spotted in the stands of a jammed packed arena with a foot of space on each side of her.
I never knew what my dad was thinking during the post game drives home.
He was always so quiet at the rink and away from it.
On the odd occasion he would just say you need to “hit the road” simply put, that was his way of saying I needed to do some dry-land to get stronger and in better shape.
Mom would always defend us if there was ever criticism, but she would be the first to provide harsh and honest criticism of it was warranted.
Mom knew how to say the right things after a tough loss or a poor performance.
Mother’s know best.
My mom took that to entirely new level.
She knew when we needed a hug, she knew when we needed a swift kick in the arse.
She still does.
Actually she would provide both with equal enthusiasm.
Mom would say things that we may have taken offence to at the time, but she was always right, even if we thought she was wrong.
Execution, reinforcement, hard work attention to detail and focus become second nature growing up under our roof.
“Do it right, don’t do it half assed.”
My parents always gave us every opportunity to experience a plethora of sports growing up.
We were always told to do our best.
Even if we didn’t like the sport or experience we saw it through right to the end.
Never quit, work hard and always see it through, but above do things the right way, be considerate and treat people with respect.
As a former coach and teacher I always tried to reinforce the value of those lessons every day I stepped on the ice, went behind the bench or stand in front of the class.
Players and students alike quickly found out when they arrived at the rink or stepped into my classroom, they were going to be held accountable, expectations were going to be high and that I wanted their best and that doing it “half assed” wouldn’t be an option.
In the game of hockey or in the classroom doing things the “right way” translate into our everyday life.
For that to become entrenched in the very essence of the individual it has to be modelled.
My parents were extraordinary role models.
To ensure things are done the “right way” and not “half assed” takes discipline and in many cases consequences.
Let me tell you there were consequences growing up at the Eagles household.
We didn’t step out of line too often, but when we did we felt the wrath and deservedly so.
We always knew where we stood with mom.
She always was and still is brutally honest.
She’s just the best.
Words really can’t describe the love and admiration I have for my mom and dad and the countless lessons they taught us growing up.
Amazing role models, Extraordinary parents, Awesome grandparents,
I’m forever grateful for everything my mom did and continues to do in our lives.
Thanks mom for everything you do, you have impacted my life in so many different ways.
You always put us first.
You’re the definition of strength, compassion and love.
Happy Mother’s Day!
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