I usually publish my blog posts on Tuesdays. But, you see, this is not a usual week.

I was just notified that I’m one of twelve finalists nominated to carry the Pan Am torch as it makes its run through Burlington this Summer, en route to Toronto for the 2015 Pan Am Games.  I can’t think of a cooler opportunity.  My friend and neighbour, Marnie, sent in a nomination unbeknownst to me, and here I am, excited about the impossible becoming possible.

Pan Am news is everywhere in the GTA.  Commercials abound, billboards are popping up, and the buzz is growing.  This is kind of a big deal.  Toronto 2015 is only the third time in 85 years that these International Games have been held on Canadian soil.  Right in our own backyard.

And it’s exactly the type of thing I love.  I’ve been to the World Track & Field Championships, three World Junior Hockey Championships, and a College Bowl game.  I’ve cheered at more NHL, CFL, MLB, NBA, NLL, and MLS games than I can count.  I plan family outings around sporting events, I time my holidays around races, and I nearly knocked over Mike Weir on the fairway of a PGA event (true story).  I am a sports-based chiropractor, I married a Phys Ed teacher, and my kids know that fitness is a part of life.  I believe that grassroots minor sports are windows of opportunity, growth, and dreams. I live and breathe this stuff, it’s what makes me tick, it’s what makes me me.  Passion?  Nope.  It’s more than that.

Sport is community.  Sport is health.  Sport is important life lessons all rolled up and condensed onto a playing field.

I’m a fan.  I’m an athlete.  I’m a mom raising fans and athletes.

So I am turning to you, my community.  I am hoping for your support, asking for your help, tugging at your heart strings, requesting your vote.  One click.  One vote.  One torch.

Please VOTE here: http://cms.burlington.ca/Page14733.aspx#.VJN5nrgYU

With my humble thanks,

Ashley