With glowing hearts

My yoga buddies, Lenore, Marg, Mary Jane, Marlene, Carole all clapped as Shona and Andrew came into the Bagel Company today. I was reminded that I never set out to raise an Olympic athlete. Twenty years ago as a new immigrant I knew nothing about ski racing I put my kids in the program so that Clive and I could go skiing. And then Sunshine Village Ski Club became a place where we all had friends and a great escape from the city. When the club put on a ski race when it was minus 25 I thought either they were totally crazy or if we could do this then using our collective power as humans anything was possible. And so our family became part of the ski racing village, a passionate community where everyone pitched in. A great opportunity for Lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs to shovel snow and put up safety fences. Back then we parents talked about the high costs of ski racing as mall insurance.

I am sure our communal Alberta Ski racing heart is glowing as four racers head off to Whistler, Jan Hudec, Trevor White, Brad Spence and Shona Rubens. Unfortunately the last years world champion, John Kucera will not be amongst his peers representing this great country but working his butt off doing rehab in the gym.

For me Shona and her 21 teammates are already winners. These young folk are dedicated, hard working and passionate athletes. And I for one am filled with gratitude for the privilege of watching them participate with the best of the world. I am sure you'll hear our cheering from Whistler up in the Rockies.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE CANADIAN OLYMPIANS, especially those from Alberta and in particular my beautiful daughter Shona.

Shona is racing in
Sun 14th Women's Super Combined,
Wed 17th Women's Downhill,
Sat 20th Women's Super G
Wed 24th Women's GS