With an given ability to see, it supported him through on one of the toughest parts of his early life. This passed down given gift to saul can be considered a great benefit and can guide saul to other positives things in life's …show more content…
During various locations and time throughout saul's life, saul finds solace in walks through the land. “Id squint hard at the lighted windows of the camp and i’d draw into myself. I’d haul in a lungful of hair, hold it, compact all my dark energy until it sat in my gut like a black marble, cold and glassy and hard.” At tough situations moments for saul, he demonstrates that he temporarily escapes his thoughts from finding solace in walks through the local environment on various of locations on his life. This influence had supported saul through the toughest part of his life long enough until he realizes his …show more content…
Between the Kelly’s, Virgil, and the coaches who gave him a shot, he is provided with the support and love he needs to grow and heal from his traumatizing childhood. As Saul comes to the realization of the abuse he suffered through residential school, the Kelly’s offer support and acceptance. Not only do they accept him but they encourage him to continue on the journey of healing. Fred states: “They scooped out our insides, Saul. We’re not responsible for that...But our healing, that's up to us” (210). This shows the Kelly’s want to support Saul while he begins the healing process. In addition to supporting Saul and offering acceptance, they also encourage him to get back into hockey. Saul explains the importance of hockey and how he wants to teach the love of the sport to youth: “So I think what I want to do is coach. I want to bring them joy I found; the speed, the grace, the strength and the beauty of the game” (212). If it weren’t for the Kellys’ support and love, Saul would not be able to turn his life around and start on a new path.
The game of hockey affects Saul’s life in more than one positive way. It offers him salvation, it forces him to confront the racism he encounters and provides him with a forever family. Despite his traumatic past Saul continues to move forward and spread the love of hockey and positivity to young indigenous youth. He goes on to explain “I want to get back to the joy of the game...if I