Tears. Lots of them. Just as they did four years ago when Alex Bilodeau captured gold for Canada, the tears flowed freely as a young man’s love for his brother shone as brightly on the world stage as did his remarkable achievement on the slopes.

As I humbly chew on my dinner of raw crow, I shall openly admit the error of my ways in my previous blog wherein I referred to the members of our Canadian Olympic team as fellow Canucks, yet essential strangers to most of us. I was wrong. Dead wrong. I know Alex Bilodeau. Having never met this young man and knowing minimal about his life, I know him. I know his heart; and that it belongs to his brother and the rest of his loving family. And that’s all that matters.

Likewise, I know the incredible Dufour-Lapointe sisters – their family bond radiating through their red and white jackets as they topped the Olympic podium, hand-in-hand. Justine, the gold-medalist, later remarked to reporters that, after her life-changing run down the moguls course, she could hear her parents’ voices clearly above and beyond all else, unhindered by the cheers of thousands. Again, family is what ultimately matters.

Did you hear about Gilmore Junio? The Canadian dude who sacrificed his spot in the 1,000 meter speed-skating final to his team mate, Denny Morrison, “in the best interest of the team?” I know him. And I know Team Canada ski coach Justin Wadsworth, who ran onto the cross-country course to lend a helping hand (and a ski) to a Russian competitor who’d suffered a fall. You know how I know these guys? I can see their fabric; their very souls through their selfless and sportsmanlike deeds. As my dearly departed Grampa would say, “Their folks did somethin’ right!”

Regardless of the particular virtue, value or deed playing out in real life half a world away, these Team Canada members are us. They represent all of us in the effort, character and sportsmanship they demonstrate through their quest for their personal best (and perhaps a medal, if fate allows). We know them – and we’re picking up the next generation of them at the bus stop in a couple of hours. GO CANADA GO!!! (I really mean it!!)

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About this blogger:

Paula D’Orazio RN is a public health nurse with the Early Years Health Program at the Halton Region Health Department.  Wanna know more about her?  Read her blogs!  She’ll tell ya!  (She kinda likes to talk.)