As I write this post I am flooded with emotions! Yesterday I was reminiscing about some of my old hockey days in Tacoma Washington and some of the amazing people there that made my stay there special. I was 17 and for all that knew me a little “all over the map” was an understatement. It was a tough time for me to be away from home as I had to deal with some injuries that really set me back. But life kept going and I’ll never forget some of the guys on the team that made every turn of the wheel in life as a junior hockey player interesting and fun. We had a great fan base there in Tacoma, and all the guys on the team were blessed to have a lot of the people in the community supporting them in all aspects of life and make them feel at home.
Yesterday I was curious about one of my friends that used to hang around the team, her name was Shana. Shana was a great girl and we always shared lots of laughs and memories. I tried adding her to Facebook yesterday because my mind was on the old days. I figured she was probably married but I gave it a shot. Her name didn’t come up. This morning I woke up early and had a friend request on my phone for Facebook and low and behold it was Shana. Talk about the law of attraction working at it’s best. I had goosebumps all over my body and accepted right away and told her my story! Craazzzzy!!!. Shana had an aunt and Uncle that were a host family for players on the team, knowing as billets. That’s where young men that were away from home would live and call it home. I was very blessed to live with her aunt Mary and uncle Ken for half a season before being trading to the Regina Pats.
Mary and ken were two of the most authentic caring people I ever met, and loved and treated me just like a son. Mary was famous for her cooking and would make me a special pie everyday to just make me feel loved and at home. And of course her Italian spaghetti was awesome as well, as her background was from Italy. Some people that come into your life, although it might not be for long as in this case , had such a profound impact on my life. Especially looking back on it now to where I was at that stage, a mixed up kid with more issues than you could shake a stick at. Just trying to fit in was hard at times with the ups and down of a WHL season. Especially playing on a team with 22 guys full of testosterone. But Mary and Ken were so special, even though I lasted in their home for only a short time we stayed in touch for close to 7 years after, until I got caught up in some things in life I’ve since put behind me. If any of the old boys from the Rocket Teams of the early days read this, they will always remember Mary and Ken because they were the ultimate hosts.
They loved having as many of the boys over any time for food and parties that often went on long past our curfew. Their door was open always , and they were some of the best supporting fans as well. My heart was saddened this morning to get the news that Mary passed away on December 30th. And of course it hit me with shock and brought me back into her kitchen when she would make my favourite pies and pre game meals, give me big hugs and always tell me how much she loved me. The world lost an amazing person who’s life stood for something. She was all about family and if there was a book on how to be a mother and Grandmother she could easily have been the author. My heart goes out to Ken and the family and I send my deepest condolences and love to the family. And I’m sure I speak for all the players that spent time in Mary and Kens house as well, They were more than just billets.
Sincerely Yours Ryan Phillips