With Glowing Hearts

Who of us did not grow up being told, in one way or another, that when we go out we are representing our family. How we behave outside of our home is a reflection of it and the values we have been taught. Some fathers have been known to say, "remember who you are" or" remember you are a (family name)" instilling the value of bringing honor to your family.
As we have observed our away from home teams, our Olympians, these past two weeks, we have felt that same kind of familiar tie as they represent us, our country! When others see a Canadian, they see us. Many times this goes beyond the performance of the athlete and translates to character.

We've seen glimpses and heard stories . . .

One interview that found a soft spot in me was when skier Alex Bilodeau won gold in moguls and recognized his brother Frederic as the one who had inspired him all along, noting  that if his brother had been physically able to ski, he would have outdone him.

Then there was the ski coach, Justin Wadsworth, who came to the assistance of Russian cross-country skier Anton Gafarov after he fell and broke his ski during the Men’s Sprint Free Semifinals, allowing him to finish the race with a new ski.

And what about the gift our speed skater Gilmore Junio gave to his teammate, Denny Morrison, when he gave him his spot in the race? An unselfish act of more than just kindness, when you consider how hard he himself worked to get where he was.

Our hard working athletes crossed the ocean to do their best as the world watched and they have done us proud . . . not just in medal count, but also in integrity and honor . . . giving their home a good name.

A good name is more desirable than great riches; 

to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

 Proverbs 22:1