All Lit Up

I have glued myself to the set for 3 days and am grateful for the reprieve of work.  Frankly, my nerves cannot hack it.  I used to pee myself laughing watching my mother pace the floor, palms sweating and nearly raise the roof with her screaming.  Well, it turns out, "like mother, like daughter".

I paced my floor, my heart beating out of my chest feeling like the anxiety of the race might just break me.  I watched while Jenn Hiel captured our silver.  She is an Olympian, through and through and while she didn't wear the gold, her words were golden.  Talk about a classy and poised athlete.  I wanted to cry for her as she stood sandwiched between the 2 boisterous Americans.  Bilodeau.  Wow.  What a race!  What a beautiful story, what a beautiful dream.  Just a boy, when his mom convinces him to quit hockey and devote more time to skiing instead so that his older brother, afflicted by Cerebral Palsy,  can still be a part of his world.  He gives up hockey, the sport he loves, without a fight becaause his brother has an easier time skiing than skating....and look at what happened.  This man, so young in his sport is a poster child for all things good, dreams and family.  I could not have chosen a better recipient to bestow this momentous piece of history upon.

My children have seen me scream at the television for every speed skate, every mogul, every downhill.  I have had at least a dozen headaches brought on by sheer tension.  I don't know how the families handle the pressure, let's just say that my children would probably have me stay home so as not to embarass them.  I cannot imagine the pressure of our athletes, the anxiety to perform, not to mention the added stress of trying to win GOLD.  These people are phenomenal,  clearly a drive engrained in them that is unique.  Sharing our first gold with our son as we watched it live was my Olympic moment, one that will be burned in this memory forever! 

I have beared witness to many, many Olympics but none where I have felt such pride as a Canadian.  I have never been more proud of this country and the people in it than I am in this moment.  The red mittens, the Olympic wear, the torch relay, the opening ceremonies and the magic of this event.  Canada, I am so proud!

Now this is long, so you may not want to read but this is the poem that was read at the opening ceremonies.  I think this about sums up our great country.

We Are More

by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada you might list some statistics

you might mention our tallest building or biggest lake

you might shake a tree in the fall and call a red leaf Canada

you might rattle off some celebrities, might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie

might even mention the fact that we've got a few Barenaked Ladies

or that we made these crazy things like zippers, electric cars and washing machines

when defining Canada it seems the world's anthem has been "been there done that"

and maybe that's where we used to be at

it's true, we've done and we've been, we've seen

all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine and turned into theme parks

but when defining Canada don't forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories about the one that got away

we do more than sit around and say "eh?"

and yes, we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One

who inspired little number nines and little number ninety-nines

but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

and some say what defines us is something as simple as please and thank you

and as for you're welcome well, we say that too

but we are more than genteel or civilized

we are an idea in the process of being realized

we are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry

and the design is what makes us more

than the sum total of our history

we are an experiment going right for a change with influences that range from a to zed

and yes we say zed instead of zee

we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy

we dream so big that there are those who would call our ambition an industry

because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow

we do more than grow wheat and brew beer, we are vineyards of good year after good year

we reforest what we clear because we believe in generations beyond our own

knowing now that so many of us have grown past what used to be

we can stand here today filled with all the hope people have

when they say things like "someday", someday we'll be great, someday we'll be this or that

someday we'll be at a point when someday was yesterday

and all of our aspirations will pay the way for those who on that day

look towards tomorrow and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set and we will get interest on our inspiration

because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks

more than backpacks and hiking trails we are hammers and nails building bridges

towards those who are willing to walk across

we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss

we are not the see-through gloss or glamour of those who clamour for the failings of others

we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers, uncles and nephews aunts and nieces, we are cousins

we are found missing puzzle pieces, we are families with room at the table for newcomers

we are more than summers and winters, more than on and off seasons

we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay because we are more than what we say or do

we live to get past what we go through and learn who we are

we are students, students who study the studiousness of studying

so we know what as well as why, we don't have all the answers

but we try and the effort is what makes us more

we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for so keep exploring

go far and wide or go inside but go deep, go deep

as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss and suddenly there was this location scout

trying to figure some way out to get inside you

because you've been through hell and high water and you went deep

keep exploring because we are more

than a laundry list of things to do and places to see

we are more than hills to ski or countryside ponds to skate

we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes

a country that is all the ways you choose to live, a land that can give you variety

because we are choices, we are millions upon millions of voices shouting

"keep exploring... we are more"

we are the surprise the world has in store for you, it's true

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"

so don't say "been there done that" unless you've sat on the sidewalk

while chalk artists draw still lifes on the concrete of a kid in the street

beatboxing to Neil Young for fun,

don't say you've been there done that unless you've been here doing it

let this country be your first-aid kit for all the times you get sick of the same old same old

let us be the story told to your friends and when that story ends

leave chapters for the next time you'll come back, next time pack for all the things

you didn't pack for the first time but don't let your luggage define your travels

each life unravels differently and experiences are what make up the colours of our tapestry

we are the true north, strong and free and what's more

is that we didn't just say it; we made it be.

-Shane Koyczan

 

Comments

[Brandi]

Well said Mol. I too couldn't be more proud to be Canadian.

[Shauna]

Great post Mol! I too am enjoying every minute of these Olympics and what I have enjoyed most is my childrens' reaction and excitement around them. They are so into it and want to wear their Canadian Olympic attire on a daily basis!!

Last week when I listened to our gym teacher at school (Mark Berger-Bronze Medalist in 1984 Summer Games in LA in Judo) address our students about his Olympic experience I couldn't help but be moved to tears as he spoke to them about always doing their best and believing in themselves. He emphasized that what made him excel in his sport was not talent but instead dedication, hard work and surrounding himself with positive and supportive people. Holding his bronze medal in his hand he talked about his early dreams as a young child of winning an Olympic medal for his country...a true testament to the fact that dreams really do come true.

And dreaming is what my 6 year old has been doing. Every day since Friday she has been talking about how she is going to win a gold medal one day...one day it is in figure skating, the next day curling and today it has changed to woman's hockey. My answer being "You go girl!"

Young, old...what a wonderful time to be a Canadian!