Leave It To A Little 5 Year-Old Hockey Player To Show Us All What Life Is Truly About!

The Following Short Story --Of Which I Am Fortunate To Be A Part Of--Will Make You Laugh AND Cry!!


By Paul Lubanski


Please Enjoy...

Granted, for a billion reasons, it is an unbelievably crazy world we exist within presently. As a result, it has become more and more difficult to uncover the "good" that trust me--DOES exist out there!

Most especially so in the "hockey community."

This past Sunday, I found the "GOOD" in an incredibly kind-hearted and generous little 5 year-old boy hockey player. His naivete, kindness and sweet generousity is so endearing, that once you read on --you just may have to shed a few tears. Or if you simply want and need to smile--and again--possibly cry a bit--please take a minute to read the following short story::

So I teach and coach 4-8 year-olds' at the Farmington Hills Ice Arena every Sunday. The goal of course, is to introduce them to the great game of ice hockey in both as positive and as constructive manner as possible. I have had the privilege to do this for the past several years now--and very often the sessions end up being the highlight of my week. You see, for the most part, these wide-eyed kids are like sponges and truly want to listen and learn. What a concept--eh?

Anyway, last Sunday, a little boy named Tyler, age 5--"almost 6" as he emphasizes to me weekly, was showing me his new Kindle and the most recent book he was reading on it. (I always stress to the children and their parents how important is to do well in school--hence what he was doing was not odd in the least). In fact, he very well was cognizant of the fact that I would appreciate what he was telling me.  "Coach Paul--this is my new Kindle--isn't it cool!" he said to me with an excited, bright-eyed and giant front-tooth missing smile that only a little child could radiate. "Wow," I responded, "you are very lucky, these devices cost a lot of money! I wish I could afford one!" Of course, I was teasing. As adults, we have a frame-of-reference to understand that concept. However, our tiny Tyler--as I discovered this afternoon--DID NOT.

How did I discover that he did not?

Well, here is what happened...



After our skate today--(the following week), Tyler came up to me and handed me a small box that was haphazardly covered in traditional wrapping paper -- Christmas-type wrapping paper.

I was astonished--and of course, asked him what this is for?

"Coach Paul, "Tyler proudly proclaimed, "it is a gift for you--I wrapped it up all by myself and please don't tell my mom and dad about this OK--coach!"

With my fingers crossed behind my back--I assured him (at least temporarily) that I would keep his secret. I  then proceeded to open the box.

In the box was a very small hockey-player shaped piggy-bank with 32 cents jingling around within-it.

What the heck Tyler? Again, why am I the deserving of this beautiful and so,so kind gift?

"You told me last week that you didn't have the money for your own Kindle and I wanted you to have one like me!", he proudly proclaimed.

True story.

How kind! how amazingly cute!

You see, YES, there are great parents out there in our society raising our country's future leaders.

Thank the higher-power-that-be for that fact.

My guess is that Tyler will most certainly be among those leaders of tomorrow.

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I actually did experiencing it.

Best of luck.


Paul Lubanski




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