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My Sincere Condolences To Mr. Burke |
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The sad news tonight of Brian Burke's son, Brendan, passing away stopped me right where I was. Although I am not yet a parent, these kinds of things resonate with me. I can think of nothing more difficult for a parent than to lose a child. The thought of it is too much to take for many. So tonight I express my sincere condolences to Mr. Burke and his family. My prayer will be that God will find a way to comfort them during this time and help ease the immense pain I'm sure they are feeling.
The other reason i felt compelled to write this was to share something I have found in the few years I have been blessed to somehow be apart of the NHL. Mr. Burke will likely never read this and I doubt I will ever have the chance to personally express my condolences as well. That said, I feel what I know must be shared.
In these raw and emotional hours after this news I know without a shadow of a doubt the Burke family is being taken care of. There will be some who say that events like these remind us all that it truly is just a game that we watch and some fortunately work with. While in some ways that is true, I know that tonight the NHL is more than a game or a job to the Burkes. I'm sure they have been re-reminded that the NHL and hockey in general is a family. When something like this occurs, it matters not what team you play on, work for, or cheer for. In these moments you are simply part of the hockey family and everyone feels for you. Beyond that, everyone within this great hockey family is willing to do whatever they can for you. As tragic as this situation is, I personally do find a little comfort in the fact that the entire NHL and hockey community has reached out to the Burkes. Although it is a sensitive and personal time for his immediate family, I know in my heart that his hockey family has and will continue to be there for them. That is one of the many reasons this sport is so great.
Recently I've begun to accept that I may never truly work in the NHL or hockey. That just might not be what God has planned for me. As tough as that is to accept on some days I still hold one thing close to my heart from this time. No matter what happens to me, my hockey family will still be there. As badly as I truly want to work in the NHL and be a full member of that great family, I've been beyond blessed just to have a taste of it. Considering what little I know about this sport and the great people in it, I'm sure a mainstay like Brian Burke is being overwhelmed with the amount of support he is receiving. So tonight I do have some small comfort for Mr. Burke. His hockey family will take care of him during such rough waters.
I am not a great writer by any means, but I do hope that some of you found my words to be helpful. The media will cover this story and the events that took place today, but I challenge those same media members to cover the other side as well. In such a tragic event show others what a vast amount of support the Burkes will receive from the sport.
Although Mr. Burke may never see this column and receive my personal condolences, I can be assured he will feel my prayers and the prayers of many like me who are also apart of the great family within hockey.
Take care and God bless.
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