We are Canada, the quiet nation, but a patriotic nation. You rarely find us waving the flag, we hold our nation in our heart. Preferring to know deep inside ourselves that we love our Country.
We know, we don’t show.
During the torch relay, and again last night while watching the Olympic opening ceremonies on TV, I saw a different side of these quiet neighbors I call my fellow countrymen. Light glowed from over 60,000 faces in that stadium, reflecting a Olympic torch that has travelled thousands of miles to get to this moment.
Sadly during the ceremonies,we honored a young athlete who lost his life yesterday in a training run. Reminding us that danger lurks in all sorts of places. A moment of silence, respected by all.
His team vowing to move forward, and honor his spirit by participating in the games.
Grief wiping their faces.
I saw amazing sights, people normally reserved, now cheering, clapping, running, waving, with true patriot love. Joining together in a tapestry of different cultures to celebrate Canada.
Watched from my warm room, I saw people running through the pouring rain, following Wayne Gretzky as he rode in the back of a pick up to light the outdoor caldron. Famous red mittened hand grasping the slippery railing. The flame climbing the angled glass pillars, and finally igniting the caldron.
Igniting our hearts.
Go team Canada, we love you with True Patriot Love.
Ours arms are outstretched, and welcoming the world.
On a side note: I wrote the other day of being 3rd time lucky. Running into the Olympic torch relay long after we thought it had left in the dark, and getting more photos in daylight.
We walked back to our condo, met up with friends and decided to go down to the beach to see the sun rise, and have breakfast.
It had been over a hour since we had seen the torch go by.
It turns out that the runner I photographed was a co-worker’s daughter. Randomly selected just minutes before the torch passed through uptown White Rock.
There was a article in our local newspaper, explaining how she became a torch runner, and I had casually mentioned it to someone else that I worked with. He then told me it was our co-workers daughter.
Turns out since it was such a unexpected opportunity, they didn’t get any photos, but I did.
Small world?
Coincidence? You tell me.
Jen girl .. that was beautifully said.
ReplyDeleteSo many times people from other nations (I experienced this when I worked in Holland) mix us up with our southern neighbors and think we are all the same. Yet there are others, that hold such respect and appreciation for Canadians especially the Dutch and Belgium from the events of WW2. That made me so proud to feel their warmth.
I love the coincidence factor here for you .. it was meant to be : )
This is a huge smiley post for me girl .. thank you !
Joy
PS .. yes, we are an understated nation, and I am very comfortable and happy about that !
Wasn't it amazing when the Canadian team entered during the opening. The noise from the crowd brought a tear to my eye!
ReplyDeleteGo Canada!
Oh Canada! I respect how you show and feel your love for your country. It is so sad about a sudden death of an athlete... or anyone of course. Wonderful photos of the torch runner and all the more enjoyable to see knowing your degrees of separation. Great story! Good Luck! ;>)
ReplyDeleteI was sad to learn of the death of the young athlete. How grand that you got the photographs of the co-workers daughter - they are truly spectacular and just meant to be - what a moment for each of you. What a grand opening ceremony.
ReplyDeleteCanada certainly did itself proud last night!!
ReplyDeleteSerendipity!
ReplyDeleteI didn't see the opening ceremony as it was on at about 3am here and, funnily enough, I didn't fancy getting up just then! However, having read various blogs about it, I rather wish I had!
I thought the opening to the olympics was so beautiful. I love the native dances and how personal the show was. I have been wanting to explore Canada for a long time and the Olympics have really intesified my need to do so! Vancouver looks magnificent.
ReplyDeleteSince I am from Michigan I have been to Windsor and Sault Ste Marie, Canada but that is it. Someday Andrew and I will hop in the car and head West and then to the far north.
I'm French Canadian so perhaps I could find some relatives up there. I know there are a lot of Verville's there. Need to trace my ancestry.
Jen, what beautiful pictures you captured for memories to hold forever.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's
Have a loving weekend.
Hugs, Marydon
That was beautiful Jen! I wish your countrymen the best of luck and wonderful experiences. Keep warm. gail
ReplyDeleteWell even though I am not a fan of the whole Olympic Committee/financial debacle I do cheer prouldly for our atheletes.
ReplyDeleteThe fiddlers, the poet, K D Lang, so much more, they were fabulous. F A B U L O U S.
Exquisite and accurate, Jen. Despite my harrumphing curmudgeonly act over the hooferaw, I watched the opening ceremonies last night, tweeting with a bunch of my friends in my other twitterdom, and explaining to them mostly all Americans, what this country is all about. We cried together over the Georgian luger's death. We sighed together over lady k.d. Lang's breathtaking version of Leonard's Hallelujah. We cheered over all the teams and I reminded them that we're gonna kick their butts at hockey. But that we love them anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou all done good. BC should be very proud. Go Canada!
Yes, very well said, Jen. I'm proud of you guys up north, and I'm so sorry for the family and friends of the young Georgian athlete lost. Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteGreat!pictures.
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day
Canada did itself proud last night - I had to call it quits at midnight as I had to work this morning, but what I saw was incredible. From another proud Canadian.
ReplyDeleteJen, Well, now I am all choked up - with Canadian pride and of course, with the fact that you were there to take those pictures of the young girl. Coincidence, indeed :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, Do you speak French? I never thought about it before, that you might. The ceremony was beautiful as has been all of the photography from all corners of Canada. I have been watching just a few hours of coverage from the couch.. LOL..in between naps..it is even on as a re- run in the middle of the night.
ReplyDeleteI think it is marvelous that you just happened to get this photo..meant to be!! :)
Since half of my family lives in Canada I always root for Canada. It's true what they say about Canada having the friendliest people in the world there (at least I think it is).
ReplyDeleteI guess you were meant to miss your first two photo ops of the torch so you could get the third one. What a great picture that family will have of their daughter.
Canadians sound similar to the Swedes... modest and unassuming.
ReplyDeleteLove those shots! How cool that you can make your neighbours happy by sharing the photos of their daughter with them.
What a heart warming wonderfully honest post. I love it.
ReplyDeleteMy heart nearly burst out of my chest while I was watching the Opening Ceremonies. Absolutely magnificent. My two favourite moments where the Orca whales and KD Lang's moment in the spotlight. I cried the ugly cry throughout the entire thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing for the torchbearer's family that you were able to get such great shots of her with the torch. It must have been very thrilling to run with it. There are no coincidences. None.