25. Chapter 25
The Zamboni for Life
Is there anything more satisfying than watching the ice that’s been scuffed up, scratched, and sprayed all over the rink suddenly be wiped clean by what basically looks like a giant squeegee machine?
Maybe some of you would say the best part is the game itself, and sure, our guys look good out there.
But that machine literally glides over the ice, scratches off the top surface and spreads a thin layer of water, making it look new again. It’s pretty darn cool.
At a time in our lives when we’re learning how to be adults and making a boatload of mistakes along the way, I can’t help but wish I had a Zamboni for life to follow me around and wash away all the stupid things I do.
Said something awkward and embarrassing at a party?
Don’t worry, the Zamboni’s here to erase it so you can start over.
Got drunk and threw up on your crush’s shoes? Consider it a Zamboni moment.
I know, it’s weird, and you’re probably officially thinking that after more than a month of reporting on hockey, I’m losing it.
Hockey has become a much bigger part of my life than I ever imagined.
But I really think we’re on to something here.
Let’s call it a new method for being human.
Instead of letting those Zamboni moments define us and occupy our brains for months, what if we just gave ourselves permission to erase them and focus on the learning they provided instead?
And what if we erased them for each other?
Does your roommate really need to be introduced as the girl who threw up all over the quarterback last year?
Or can you do her a favor and knock that off?
Call it a Zamboni moment and wash it away.
Let’s stop defining ourselves—and each other—by those moments.
We’re so much more than the guy who stuttered through his first oral report or the girl who spilled coffee all over herself in Psych 101 (whoever that was, it definitely wasn’t me) or the jock who can’t be taken seriously for anything other than sex.
We deserve to get away with scuffing up the surface as we figure ourselves out.
And if not now, in college where we’re all screwing up, then when can we allow ourselves that grace?
Yes, I’ve watched too much hockey already.
I’ve watched that machine skate around the ice too much.
But I’ve also had the opportunity to be on the ice myself.
I’ve looked up into those stands we all sit in.
And you know what I saw? A whole lot of seats that are usually filled with people who all deserve a little Zamboni in their lives once in a while.
Be kind to each other, folks. College is hard enough without being defined by our mistakes.