A Sea of Red and White...

Now that the Olympics are officially over, I guess thoughts will turn to boating. Or maybe not. Yet.
I picked up my bottle of Visine this morning, it said 'get the red out'... I cried.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics were amazing, catching me completely by surprise as I was not expecting the tidal swell of emotion that I, and indeed the city and country felt.

The torch relay (especially getting to see Rick Hanson bring it into Richmond Ozone) and pride in the beauty of our city, mountains, and sea displayed on television were what lit the blaze for me. A fine bunch of young Canadian Athletes who competed with heart, honour, and pride fanned the flame. And the sea of red everywhere kept the embers burning hot.

Things that will remain in my memory forever...
That heartstopping hockey game, the Golden podium - a promise that came true, Mr. Bilodeau's ernest admonishment that the first gold medal was in no way better than the second or third or any other (true, but his was pretty special). Spontaneous outbursts of Oh Canada, polite lineups, upside down shirtless zipliners waving the Canadian flag crossing overhead in record time. Obtaining the perfect table atop the Art Gallery stairs overlooking Robson Square and drinking wine with new friends, the perfect spot with a perfect view. My daughter's pride in her city and country. Red and white, the newest fashionable colors.
It all came and went too quickly!

I hope the gorgeous images of our most beautiful province will bring even more visitors here. From the North, to the Kootenays, the Okanagan, our vast coastline, we are a little bit of everywhere. I can't think of a more diverse landscape anywhere. We must share it and we must protect it.

And later this summer, in a quiet cove, I will play the I Believe song and remember it all.

Kalena