 | A picture is worth a thousand words. If you're not a stranger to this blog, I'm sure you are used to reading some long-winded posts by Yours Truly. So today, I will give your brain a break. Enjoy these pictures taken by Providence Bruins Team Photographer Intern, Samantha Boice, from the "Skate with the Bruins" night at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. It's our way of thanking the fans for the love and support. I'll throw in a few thoughts and observations along the way too. |
| I remember sitting in seventh grade and practicing my autograph all day on my notebooks during class. The autograph has changed over the years, and then you get to the point where you are signing them for real. And kids hold up that tee shirt and look at your autograph. I try and sign each one perfectly. Sometimes it ends up being a scribble, and sometimes it turns out perfect, just the way I pictured it would be, as I practiced for hours in my middle school notebooks. |  |
 | I'm pretty sure that if you have a good enough soul and you are not afraid to show it, people can see it. I can see it in other people, and I only hope they can see it in me. Sometimes I think that kids have an unfiltered glimpse into people's soul. I see so much joy and happiness in their faces as they skate around the rink and get autographs. It is such an honor to be in this position, to be able to affect people the way we do, and the way we can. Embrace it, and you can truly make in impact. |
| A kind family talked to me about my Blog, and were proud of me that I was able to quit tobacco and spread the word and influence her kids in a positive way. I told those kids to stay clear of tobacco and that it was nothing but bad news. They agreed, and I could tell they meant it. I told them that if I caught them using tobacco, I they would have to answer to me. And then I smacked my knuckles into my hand and made a mean face. They knew I meant business. |  |
 | When someone tells you that you are his or her favorite player, you feel many different emotions. You are honored and humble, maybe a little bit bashful and embarrassed. But most importantly, you are overjoyed that people are noticing. They see your hard work and determination. They see your heart on your sleeve. And they like it. How could you have ever doubted yourself before. No more doubts. Only undaunted belief from here on in. Undaunted belief, no matter what. |
| I met a kid in a wheel chair, and tried my best to make him smile, make him happy, make his day. I pretended to challenge him to a fight, throwing up my dukes. He laughed so hard. He made me smile. He made me happy. He made my day. I would take him on my team any day. I felt it in his hand, and saw it in his eye. He was strong and determined and amazing. I called him my brother, and meant it more than any thing I said during the course of that entire evening. Thank you, brother! |  |
 | Usually we are out here on the ice and we are at War. We are doing battle during a game, or working right down to the bone at practice. We are warriors, chasing that elusive destiny of sports greatness. And we mean business. And we mean business every single day. But today, we get to let our guard down. Today we get to be normal. Today reminds me of opens skates back home as a teen, skating laps around the rink, meeting people, laughing, and skating just because. |
| I've never been thanked to many times by fans for playing hard and giving it everything I have. Bruins fans know what a hockey player is. Bruins fans can see a beating heart. The embrace it and appreciate it. They rally around it and nurture it. They take it in and call it their own. I see this now. We are supposed to thank the fans for supporting us and cheering for us. Here, it is the other way around. It was countless Thank You's from Bruins fans tonight, and I'm honored and grateful to give it everything I have for these fans. |  |
 | One gal couldn't believe how calm I was during the skate with the fans. She commented on how impressed she was at my warm demeanor. She must have thought that I was going to try and beat everyone up. I told her that on game days, it's my alter ego out there. Out there during games, that's just me trying to survive, and trying chase my dreams with every single ounce of me, fighting and clawing, and giving it everything, every day. Aside from that, I'm a pretty calm guy! |
| Sometimes a parent will bring a youngster over to you, and you see the little one clam up and get shy. I always try my hardest to bring them out of their shell. I try to show a little bit of my soul, to show my heart, and let them know they are safe. Sometimes it works, and I get a high five out off it. Sometimes it doesn't. But it always makes me smile and I remember being a child, and seeing athletes, and being intimidated. Now I'm the athlete. I became what I always dreamed. And I must keep chasing. I must never stop. |  |
 | My fiancee, Doll, came out and skated a few laps while I made my rounds signing things and talking with the fans and kids. She just whirled around the rink by herself, all smiles. Every so often, she would brush up against me or give me a well-placed pinch, and then skate away with a big grin on her face. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful woman in my life. I am thankful every day. After the skate she told me that I'm going to be a great father some day. |
| It is an amazing thing to make someone smile. How about making a whole family smile, and smiling back at them, and transmitting happiness through a pane of plexiglass. That happened to me tonight. There was something special about that baby. I wondered if she was destined for greatness. I knew she would be great, no matter what her path in life. I wondered if she saw something special in me. Why was she laughing and waving? Did she see something there? |  |
 | I saw so many happy families tonight, and realized how important family is, and how important good parenting is. I know that when I have kids someday, I am going give every part of me to my children. My dad took my to skate with the Wisconsin Badgers when I was 3 years old. I ran as fast as I could on skates all over the ice, weaving in and out among giants. I still have a photo of that day with the Badgers. And so I take pictures with as many fans as possible today. |
| You can tell the the city and fans are Proud of the Providence Bruins. There is something special about the sports culture out here. It is a deep and passionate form of support from the fans. It is awesome to see, and an honor to be a part of. I feel indebted to try my hardest every single game and every single day. I feel like I owe to the fan here. I see the thousands who came out to the event tonight, and I see the passion and enthusiasm. I owe and will pay back the only way I know how: give it 100% heart and soul. |  |
 | You just feel like you. Normal, old, everyday you. But to these kids, you are something mythic and heroic. You are a sportsman, and you must never forget that. You are a role model and something magical to them. I still remember seeing sportsmen when I was a kid. All you could do was stare up at them with eyes as wide as pucks. All you could to was squeak out an autograph request. I've become that person, and I try to make an impact, an impression, a positive. |
| Are you readers out there still being excellent every day? I'm still saying it every day. I still say it right when I wake up. "I'm going to be excellent today." I believe it every time I say it. It truly works. I said it before the skate with the fans today. I told myself that I would be excellent and represent the Providence Bruins excellently. The fans made it easy. You all were great, and it was a lot of fun meeting you all. Thanks for all your kind words and support. It made my day. |  |
 | Thanks to everyone who stopped by and skated with us! Thanks to all the fans who cheer for us! Thanks to all the kids who look up to us! We appreciate all the support from you guys and will continue to give it everything we have out there on the rink and try to bring glory and trophies to Providence. The fans deserve it and the city deserves it. Thanks to Samantha Boice for her wonderful, candid photographs, and for sharing them with me and all the readers here at the Bobby Robins Blog!! |
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