Now What?

I feel a bit like an addict in withdrawal today.  My TV with homemade rabbit ears is gone from my classroom, I have checked the Olympic site for the last time to peruse the pictures from last night's closing and I have rambled on about my pride with a patriotic heart to all of my classes and now what's left?  Do we go back to watching trash TV at night, do the spontaneous outbursts of O Canada cease, are red and white clothes no longer in style?  I hope not.  I hope the impact that has been left on Canada will last a lifetime.

The start of the games were clouded with such tragedy, the weather uncooperative, the near misses on the podium.  I recall talking to my class about the fact that this may be the first time in our Olympic history that we did not improve upon our previous results.  Who could have forecast these results?  While our Own the Podium committee may not have believed, our country did.  They believed each day on the streets of Vancouver and in the homes of Nova Scotia that are time was coming.  We stood behind each athlete and yelled and screamed as if our boisterous cheering would somehow will them to victory and it worked.  The bitter disappointments of the first week are all but buried under the mountains of gold heaped upon our athletes.  And yes, the hockey game could not have been scripted to be a more magical albeit heart stopping end of our tally.  14.  14 gold.  Nearly half of our athletes went home with hardware, both hockey teams, curling teams, bobsled teams, multiple speed skaters, sliders, skiiers, boarders.  They competed in sports that I didn't know were in the Olympics and I LOVED every story, every triumph and I was moved by every disappointment.  Our athletes didn't need to win gold to steal the show, the legacy that is left in the wake of these games was enough in my estimation.  The fact that they did, well, that is the icing on the cake and I admit, everything is sweeter with icing. 

I will remember these Olympics for a lifetime, my kids yelling alongside their frantic mother.  I will wear my Olympic gear long after today and I will wear it a bit more proudly than I did before.  I 'll recall my son standing proudly each and every time the anthem was played, singing his heart out, without prompting.  I know that our country has always been patriotic but it seems that these games forced us to look deep inside and see what we're made of, to take stock in what it means to truly be Canadian and to be reminded why this is the best place on the planet.

I read this quote by Stephen Brunt of the Globe and mail and believe his words will resonate with me for quite some time. "Public displays of patriotism would seem unlikely to become the norm. But given the opportunity, given the excuse, who would be surprised now if this happens again? The want seems to be there, the need seems to be there, and maybe it has been there percolating all along - the desire to join together and celebrate ourselves, to be a tribe."

I shed a tear as I watched Bryan Williams sign off for the last time last night from the Ctv studios in majestic British Columbia.  Thank you to the Olympians and all those responsible for rejuvenating our sense of national pride and my passion for the Olympic spirit.  A job very well done indeed!

Comments

[Shauna]

I too feel a letdown today quite like no other..it is reminiscent of the day after my wedding or returning after a great vacation. The Olympics were far more exciting, emotional and impacting than I could have ever anticpated. As a family, we threw out all routine over the last two weeks- letting the kids eat in front of the tv each evening, no bedtime books just staying up a little later in mom and dad's bed to watch the games. My kids were far more into it all than I could have hoped and I will cherish those memories always. I had few words to console my six year old with last night when she cried for half an hour- upset that it was all over. We all had the opportunity to take part in something so amazing over the last 17 days. May be continue to celebrate what we have learned about our wonderful country, honour our amazing athletes,count our blessings, stand tall and proud and remember always!

[College Term Papers]

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