How much Passion do you have in life, for you country, sport or anything?

Oh Canada! The Anthem that touched millions after Canada won Hockey Mens Olympic Gold!

Team Canada Wins Olympic Gold against USA

As I write this I sit in my in-laws house in Sydney Australia.  I was not in my home country of Canada when the Canadian Men won the Hockey Olympic Gold Medal by beating the United States Men 3-2 in overtime.  I was down the Australian coast on a holiday with my wife our family enjoying my holiday but there was one thing on my mind.  Where could I watch the Gold medal game between Canada and the USA? 

My Dramas in Australia as My Heart Longed to Watch the Gold Medal Olympic Game Between Canada and the USA

A few hours before the hockey game it became very eventful.  A Tsunami warning raged over the airways as the Australian coast was bracing for the impending waves created by the earthquakes in Chile.  We sat and waited on high ground.  Our family took precautions and travelled upland knowing the damage Tsunami waves can make.  Still the number one thing on a Canadian boys mind was still “Hockey.”  The news reports told us that the wave would hit Australia by noon so we waited until the afternoon for the swells to come.  We waited as my brother in-laws and I wished we were on the surf especially on such an ideal sunny day. 

It was plus 30 degrees Celsius and I was wearing my Team Canada Jersey and ball cap.

Any amount of sweat that I shed from wearing the jersey was worth the fact that I was acknowledging Canadian Hockey everywhere I went.  We waited on, until finally… The wave never came.  It had been displaced by the Pacific ocean and if it came with any force at all it wasn’t noticed by us. 

Knowing the safety we now had my brother in-laws and I went to catch the surf on this glorious day.  Now it was Sunday afternoon and by early Monday morning Australia time the Gold medal game was set to be played.  And for this Canadian boy the most important thing I could think about was “Hockey.”  I did love the experience of get out in the ocean and swimming to the swells.  I even caught a pretty good wave and loved the experience. 

That night a storm rushed in on our campsite.  With lightning, and heavy rain, leaking tents, a camp kitchen getting blown away and a 7 month old son to protect for moments the elements took my attention off the hockey game.  It stormed all night making a very eventful camping experience. 

Then it was the morning and I took the first opportunity I could to get a ride to the local town which had a bar and in that bar there were 4 other people scattered around and there was a TV.  And on that TV was a broadcast of the Olympic Gold metal Game between Canada and the United States.  SWEET!!! I exclaimed as I wore my Team Canada Hockey Jersey and ball cap.  I watched the game alone but with the reactions that I gave to the game there may well have been 300 fellow Canadians with me.  My wife, in laws and another friend arrived with only 5 minutes left in the game.  They were into the game but not with the intensity as I watched even as Zach Parise scored with only 23 seconds left in the game.  But then as the Overtime period paid on and Crosby passed the puck to Iginla who quickly passed it back to Crosby.  And Crosby Shoots and Scores!!!! I couldn’t help but yell out for all to hear in a virtually empty Australian Bar because for this Canadian Hockey Fan the ultimate just happened.  Canada Won Olympic Gold over the United States in Canada.  Yes I was in Australia.  And Yes many Australians questioned why I was not in Canada where all the action was.  Yes! I talked to nearly every Olympic watcher and passer byer about our number one sport and our Canadian Hockey team.  Yes, I was happy with the Australian media as they covered nearly every Canadian hockey game and on one network they even prized Michael Buble as a special guest commentator during intermissions.  I was rather impressed with Michael’s passion and excitement even as he deliberated on the early preliminary loss to the USA.  I even watched the Preliminary game with 300 other Canadians at a “Canadians in Australia” event at a downtown Sydney Bar.  I will add a great video of my experience on this post. 

Oh Canada, How an anthem can bring Tears to Our Eyes as Passion Strikes 

After the Canadian Men were awarded their Gold medals my one of our family friends that was at our table enjoying the event asked me to sing along with the anthem as it played.  I sang and as I did I found this grown man choking on the words.  “God Keep Our Land.  Glorious and Free… Oh Canada We Stand On Guard For Thee…” I couldn’t finish the song as tears welled up in my eyes.  I was overwhelmed with joy and patriotism.  The hard work and adversity even the most expected athletes went through to get to this place singing their national anthem with millions of others.  I looked around the room and emotion filled the eyes of my other friends and family as well.  My 7 month old son brought a welcome laugh as he kicked and giggled not knowing what was going on.  It was a magnificent feeling of being proud of two things I am so passionate about in “Hockey and “Canada.”  The pride of a nation stands just as Canada Remains “The true north strong and free.” 

This Weeks Reflect and Apply

Where were you when Canada Won Hockey Olympic Gold in Vancouver?  How did it make you feel to be proud of your country in this game and in all the Olympians?  How passionate where you about the Game, your sport and your country?  It is so vital to have passion in life.  As you can see I am very passionate about hockey and Canada but there are other things in this life that give me incredible inspiration and passion as well.  What things give you passion and inspiration?