The obvious choice for a blog topic this week is the Olympics.  With every blogger in cyberspace writing about the athlete’s behind-the-scenes, or medal counts, or the Canadian Olympic program development, I need to admit to something: I cried when I saw Hayley Wickenheiser carrying the flag as Team Canada entered Olympic Stadium. 

Now I am emotional by nature, “dramatic” some may say, and that trait has only increased with age.  Somehow that moment, those images, really grabbed hold of me and choked me up.  I was sitting with my two young children, having lunch and watching the Opening Ceremonies.  February 7th was circled on our calendar with great anticipation, and I had already told my kids about Olympic competition and showed them where Russia was on the map (“Mom, Russia is the biggest country and Canada is the second biggest, I saw it on Grandpa’s map already” said my five-year-old.  Ahem, well excuse me.).  So when the Parade of Athletes began, we already had our Canadian flags ready to go.  And then Hayley walked in waving the red and white.

What is it about the power of sport that brings out such emotion?  Is it the memories of spending childhood Winters in the arena and Summers at the golf course?  Is it the feelings of teamwork, sportsmanship, and togetherness that I’ve felt throughout my life in all aspects of sport?  Is it the fact that I’ve found my spouse, my career, and my passions all directly or indirectly through sport?

Maybe it’s all of those things.   Maybe it’s none.  Maybe it’s just good ol’ Canadian pride.  Whatever it is, it makes me cry.  Don’t sit next to me to watch the Closing Ceremonies.  I’ll be even worse.

GO CANADA GO!

***You can see the influence of sport happening early in our house here,
as evidenced by my 1-year-old’s lunch-covered ramblings.***