I love the Winter Olympic Games! 
From the Opening Ceremonies to the Closing Ceremonies, I watch every event I possibly can, marveling at the years of work, sacrifice, money and family cooperation behind every athlete’s performance. 

The figure skating, hockey, skiing, speed skating, snowboarding, bobsledding… There isn’t an event that doesn’t capture my attention, at least for a while. 

It’s always a pleasure hearing about athletes overcoming adversity to participate in The Games and going on to win medals. I keep the TV program open on the coffee table, so I can keep track of the events.

With the rest of the world, I mourn the death of the young Georgian luge competitor named Nodar, whose life ended in a terrible practice run before The Games began.  Because competitive athletes often live on the edge of danger, catastrophes happen and sorrow touches the Olympics, but always there is a hope that no tragedy will occur.

On a happy note, my daughter Lisa and my son-in-law Eric made a trip to Vancouver to experience the 2010 Winter Olympics!
This was no random vacation.

Before Christmas, at a charity auction, Eric bid on a most amazing package:  Four nights in a centrally located Vancouver condo, admission to the nearby Opening Ceremonies, tickets to women’s hockey and to pairs figure skating short program. 

Every experience was thrilling. They even visited the Canadian Mint, where people stood in line to enter and hold an actual Olympic medal.

Every day they walked six to eight miles, simply taking it all in, including the flaming cauldron, viewed through a controversial chain link fence.

On top of the Olympic activities, their package included dinner in a Vancouver restaurant and transportation to and from Seattle.

During the fantastic, breath-taking Opening Ceremonies, I was so amazed at the spectacle before me that I simply stood in front of the TV, spellbound.  And to know that my daughter sat somewhere amid the enormous crowd at those ceremonies added to my excitement.  The Opening Ceremonies were her favorite part of the Olympic Games experience.

Now that they are back in Seattle, back with their little boy, I’m sure they are glad to be home. But I’m also sure they would love to turn around and go right back to watch more events. 

When I watch the Closing Ceremonies, I’ll be sorry my daughter isn’t somewhere in the crowd.  She’ll be at home, watching the festivities on TV with the rest of us.

What would Lisa change about the trip?  She’d charge the camera battery before the Opening Ceremonies, so the camera wouldn’t die at the event.

Their photos are on their cell phones—certainly not what they had in mind! 

Their memories will be clear and colorful, though, and will last all their lives:  My daughter Lisa and her husband Eric attended the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC.  How amazing!