inspiration

My twelve year old son William had his first shift of volunteering on Saturday at the Selkirk Waterfront Festival. He spent most of the day handing out waterbottles, putting ballots in ballot boxes and meeting people. Amazing in a boy who still has trouble looking people straight in the eye. He asked me today about volunteering at our local vet clinic, as animals are a deep and lasting passion to him.

So there I was at the Women's Gold Medal Hockey game as guest of Premier Gordon Campbell, when I decide to go get a bottle of water without disturbing any of my box mates. I climb over the seats and somehow one of my feet get stuck between the back of the chair and the floor, causing me to fall into the other seat and get my other foot stuck. So here I am, mid play, blood running down my chin, calling all the attention of disruption I have tried to avoid. Clara Hughes's husband Peter tells me whatever I do, not to panic, it just makes things worse. Wise words.

I spent the morning between RTPtv and CBC Radio. RTP is an organization that brings sport and play to the most disadvantaged children in the world. I have volunteered with RTP for a decade and served for years as the Chair of the International Board. You can go to the World Of Play located on False Creek between Science World and Canada Hockey Place at the Concord Place Community Celebration Zone in Vancouver and check out more about Right To Play at http://www.righttoplay.com.

Today’s Olympic related activities include making a big banner with the kids saying “We Believe—In You.” My son wants to hold it up at the Opening Ceremonies for the athletes to see from the infield.  Here is something that has just occurred to me. I have never been to the Opening Ceremonies.  Ever.  When I was competing the Olympic Ceremonies always happened the day before I started competing and I concluded they would be too distracting and exhausting.  Part of me now is wondering what the heck I was thinking.