I watch the news every night...not because I enjoy it, but because of an insatiable desire to be connected to a world beyond my back door. While the 60-minute broadcast represents someone else's notion of what's important - every so often a story will resonate with me, and inspire action or provoke thoughtfulness that would not have otherwise surfaced. A few weeks ago, Haiti was rocked with a series of devastating earthquakes - newsworthy by any network standards! The nightly images of desperation, shattered lives and hopelessness sparked a global relief effort. Everyone I knew wanted to make a difference in some way: We helped our kids raise money through the school, we dropped coins into every Haitian Relief box - at every mall, grocery store and hockey venue we visited, and we tuned in to telethons, concerts and other fundraisers - inspired by the power of a global community united towards a single cause. I believe we all crave the experience of a unified purpose that's larger than any one person or group. That's what makes us turn on the news every day, and that's what makes us human...the pure elation we feel when stories of hope and survival emerge from amidst the chaos. The compassion that surfaces with every tragedy is either a booming call to action or a subtle reminder that we've got it pretty good - either way - the daily news gets me thinking...
Fast forward a dozen or so days, and the stories of Haiti's recovery, Haiti's orphans and Haiti's hope are quickly overshadowed - as another global news story surfaces: The 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. We're transfixed once again as new images of opening day draw us together - to share stories of hope, and of tragedy. Once again, we feel overwhelming compassion, joy, hope and sorrow as the journey of each athlete unfolds. I love the Olympics and am passionate about the value of sport in our world That's why I drink in every segment each network produces about the Olympic journey every athlete has taken. These stories breathe life into the otherwise benign, yet impressive performances. Understanding the adversities that were overcome, the sacrifices made, the tough decisions, the pain endured and the insane level of commitment each Olympian struggled with on the road to Vancouver makes us feel invested and connected as a nation pulling together. I was moved to tears watching Joanie Rochette skate days after her mother died. I was emotionally connected to the sweetness of our first gold medalist, Alex as he hugged his mentally handicapped brother - dubbed his "inspiration" after taking the first gold on Canadian soil. I loved the ice dancers' story of how they had been together since they were 10 - and screamed when they won - Tessa and Scott are awesome role models and represent our nation well. What tugged on my heartstrings most during the Olympic games coverage was each athlete's reference to the foundation they relied on for their achievements. Parents, siblings, a whole community rallying behind them. Every success story comes with a band of unsung heroes - folks that made the difference on the road to excellence. As I consumed every second of coverage - I paid close attention to the foundation each athlete's career was built on, as 100% of our gold medalists talked about the extraordinary support, love and encouragement that got them to the top of the podium. Even Sydney Crosby has a solid foundation and awesome story of family support.
Fast forward a few days from the Opening ceremonies, and another earthquake is in the news. This one an 8.8 magnitude in Chile. The world digests a second tragedy amidst the Olympic drama. Personally, the images of peril, superimposed on the surreal excitement and angst of every sporting event sparked a metaphor that I've been thinking about ever since: the strength of every foundation - whether it is supporting a building or a human being determines how well each one can withstand an earth shattering blow!
When Haitian buildings were put to the test - their instability resulted in a crumbled pile of clay and stone. Stronger foundations garnered more favourable results...Just as some of the Canadian athletes had stories where they were shaken to the core - those with strong and stable foundations persevered. Cornerstones were cohesive family values, a supportive community and a persistent message from loved ones that confirmed "we believe in you"...The glue that bonds an unwavering foundation is made up of those things: A loving family, A strong community and constant affirmation.
As a mom, I may not be raising future Olympians, but I am raising amazing young men and a young woman whose world may one day be shaken by unforeseen challenges or tragedies. My goal is to be sure that the foundations we are building now are so strong that - no matter the magnitude of the blow, and no matter how devastating the impact - their foundation stays solid - so they can rebuild...That's why we watch Olympic games together; that's why we take road trips and plane trips to spend weekends with extended family. That's why we celebrate milestones together, acknowledge small victories and commiserate on the tough losses. We laugh together at the dinner table; we stay current online and we never go to sleep without saying goodnight! Strong foundations support even the most vulnerable structures....and people - elevating them to perform in extraordinary ways.
