Seattle Kraken’s Post

Transcript

Well, I am here with the wonderful mother of the one and only Maddie Veneers Christine. Now I just want to start with how would you describe what Maddie was like as a little kid? Ohh goodness, he was full of energy. Very affable, always smiling. Always happy, just just like a bundle of energy, though. Yeah, that's why we put them into hockey. Well, and you didn't just put him into hockey. I know the Maddie was in a ton of different sports, activities, instruments, all those things. Out of everything that he did, why do you think hockey was the one that really stuck with him the most? I mean, I think you gravitate towards what comes easiest to you and certainly sports was just natural. I mean, it wasn't like you were saying, ohh, Maddie, go in practice, you know, anytime. And I also think just like any games, I mean, if you've spent any time with him, you know, he's breaking out the cards and you know, let's do scattegories and I just think he's a, you know, loves, loves to play and you know, if you have joy and something, then it. Makes it easier to continue and to thrive. Yeah, absolutely. I know that you and your family, you you guys have made so many sacrifices to support Maddie on this journey, moving and all of those things. How did you balance as a parent, supporting him and kind of his dreams when he was young while also trying to keep him grounded? Ohh well I mean like most parents you know, you wanna do whatever you can to help your children and. I mean, I guess it's a sacrifice, but at the time you only want them to stay safe and healthy and grounded. And that means sort of being part of it and being there. So and then I think you talked to them and you lead by example. I think faith is really important. So trying to, you know, set. Good habits for life always. Yeah. Well, and I know that you have some experience working in variety of high pressure kind of roles and situations as well, Broadway and dance and also law, of course. What kind of advice have you given to Mattie about, you know, having a career in a high pressure kind of on a stage like this? Yeah, I I always tried to harken back to my theater days. I don't know if he thinks the analogy is as close as I do, but you know, you know, you have to be on the road. You have to go where the work is. I sometimes say you're you're as good as your last performance. So I always like, you know, enjoy it while it lasts and try to keep perspective. And not be so hard on yourself when you know, maybe you know, you don't have that, you know, that moment that you wanted that you see kind of the long, the long road. And, and then also to not let other parts of yourself atrophy to keep up other things in your life, because I think that also brings perspective and helps you have a fuller life. So that's, that's what he's getting for me. Absolutely. And then the last one that I just wanted to ask you, you know, I, I see you around. Quite a bit, but what's it been like for you to be around all the other moms on the moms trip as well and kind of connect with other hockey moms again? Ohh, so fun. It's been really beautiful. You know, we're also everybody lives in so many different places. There's so much change on this level. So you don't really get a time where you're hanging out with a mom. So it's like, you know, the good old days of being in youth hockey when you were all in this stance together, you were cheering and it's just really nice because you know, you you sort of get to. To know a back story from some of the players, some of the players have been so kind to Maddie, such mentors to Maddie. And then hopefully, you know, we can like, you know, pay forward and do it to other people that are coming, you know, after Manny. So absolutely, I know, I know he's very purposeful and active in those things. But thank you very much for your time. It's great to have you here. Thank you for doing this. So good to see you and you do a wonderful job. Thank you very much.