Kind Hearted (Patrick Kane)

62- That's What Makes You Beautiful

Patrick

One of the many many things that the Blackhawks as a organization is good at is community service. All the professional teams around here are pretty good at making a impact on the people in the city. Chicago is a pretty complicated place filled with the highest of highs and lowest of lows. And as a part of the highs, we do a lot to help out the lows the best we can. Some of the guys have their own fundraising opportunities or awareness events. A lot of the guys donate money for research and we always like hosting the make a wish kids at a practice. It's crazy to think that their one wish in life is to play hockey with us, and it's always so much fun to see them light up when they join us on the ice and get to take a few shots. It makes what we do that much more special. So much more meaningful.

As for today, we were going around and doing random acts of kindness. And luckily for me, I had the kindest person right by my side to help me out along the way.

"Are you excited for the random acts of kindnesses we get to do today" I ask Tori as we get ready pretty early in the morning. She pulls on one of my jerseys as I do the same.

"Very" she assures me.

"Let me get a good look at you" I say as I grab her hands. I hold my arms straight out so I can get a look at her.

There's no doubt that my favorite feature about her was her eyes. I mean, she has the most beautiful eyes there ever was. They're kinda like a snow globe with a bunch of different colored blues and light browns, a little green in there too. And when they move they change colors and it looks so cool. They held the worlds greatest wonders in them. You can always see her mood which always seems to be happy. Don't get me wrong, she has her days. But one look into those eyes and you know that everything is going to be alright.

But then there was her smile. That thing was so bright. And I'm not talking about her white teeth, but the way that her smile just glowed. She had those rosy cheeks that were set high upon her face allowing her lips to pull so tight. And the way her lips always curled at the ends, it drove me crazy. Not as much as those dimples, those brought me to my knees at times.

Than again she always had some great hair, I mean it literally it always looks good. Sometimes I roll over in bed and I don't go back to sleep just so I can play with it. It felt like a fabric at times with how soft it was. And it was usually pulled back because it gets in the way of whatever it is she's trying to do. But whenever she lets her hair down free I can see how relieved she feels. Then she runs her fingers through it and it feels like it's all in slow motion.

It wasn't just that she was beautiful, but it was what made her beautiful. It wasn't just the color in her eyes that make them sparkle. It's the hope that there is a better future out there and it's all captured in her eyes. It wasn't just the fact that her smile can brighten up the room. It was the fact that it was there because she was able to help somebody and nothing makes her happier than that. It wasn't the fact that she had long hair, it's the fact that she never even pays any type of attention to it so she can focus on other stuff.

She was stunning, inside and out. And even the blind could see that.

"You are so beautiful" I finally say and she blushes, hard. Sometimes I feel like she will never believe me when I tell her she's pretty. But I never do get tired of saying it.

"Thank you Patrick. You're looking mighty fine yourself" she smiles as she runs her fingers through my hair. I feel her fingers rub against my scalp making me shiver.

"Thank you baby. Are you ready to go" I ask and she nods her head.

We gather up everything we needed before heading downtown. For today's first random act of kindness we were going to surprise some kids at a school. We were going to play some floor hockey and hand out new pe equipment. Just get the kids excited about hockey and being active and giving them something to do.

"Are you nervous" Tori asks as I wait for my cue. All the kids at the school was in the gym for the assembly. They didn't know I was here or what was happening really. But I was supposed to go out and talk to them. This really wasn't my type of thing.

"Yeah, I'm a little nervous" I admit.

"I promise you'll be great. You're a good player and a good guy. Kids love you" she insists.

"I just don't want to mess this up for them" I explain.

"Just be yourself and there's no way you can do that" she insists as she rests her hand on my shoulder. It was the little things like that meant the world to me.

"Thanks" I smile and she nods.

Eventually it comes time and I go out here. The kids freak when they see it was me and I try to wave to everyone. The principle hands me the microphone and I look around.

"Thank you guys for having me, it's a pleasure to be here" I start. "Today all of the Blackhawks players are doing some random acts of kindness' and one of your teachers told us it was about time you guys got some new PE equipment. So we got you guys all new hockey sticks and kickballs and tennis rackets and everything else to stay active with during the school year" I explain. The kids all cheer but I honestly could have said anything and I would of.

Eventually they let the kids to the floor and we play some floor hockey. It reminded me of the good old days of when I was a kid and loved to play this game. I look around and see that Tori was surrounded by kids. They always seem to take a real liking to her. But then again most people do.

After a while she joins me as we play some floor hockey. She got pretty competitive too, and once she got the hang of it she did pretty well for herself. And as I run around with the kids and notice how every single person in here was happy, I realized why she loved to give so much. To see everyone's faces, to see how just a few hours our of my day means the world to these kids, it's empowering. It really doesn't take much to make a difference in people's life.