On February 11, 2010, I was awarded the privilege of carrying the Olympic Torch along 37th avenue to Main Street. It truly was an honour and a responsibility. I had already felt humbled that I was noticed for being the "good Canadian" that I had considered myself to be. But now I had to wear this glorious white outfit complete with red mittens (I never wore mittens as an east end kid as they made for lousy snowballs) with much of my family bearing witness and hundreds of kids, a police escort and six bodyguards in black . "careful what you ask for, you just might get it," is what I thought of my predicament that day. "Go slow, so the children can see the torch." "Look out for friends who have come from afar." "Look out for the kids from the Boys and Girls Club who are here too." "This is another blessing, what am I going to make of this one?" ... all thoughts that meshed into my mind as the approaching torchbearer came to light my torch number 183. And then it happened, all so instantly. My Bombardier device became THE Olympic Torch, burning and blowing and hissing and growling with energy that lifted my arm and moved my feet. "This flame from Greece has crossed Canada and WE are taking it home. And I am just the mannequin inside the uniform that is helping move this important symbol of peace, participation and Canadian pride. "
My job was done in a few minutes, but I left the ongoing relay (Bob Lee, Jan Arden, Trevor Linden were up next) and found the hundreds of kids back on 37th and Main Street to have pictures taken. There's nothing like seeing faces of joy and glee in kids holding the Olympic Torch.
