strength

I am usually a huge Olympics fan, finding it such a source of inspiration, but I have not watched it much this time around. Then I read the news about Canadian skater Joannie Rochette, unexpectedly losing her mother just 2 days ago. Her parents had barely arrived in Vancouver to watch their daughter compete, when her mother suffered a major heart attack and was gone. Gone.

An only child, Joannie's parents were her biggest fans. She and her mother were extremely close, driving everywhere from their tiny town for skating events since Joannie was a young girl. The Olympic Committee felt Joannie had every right to gracefully bow out of the competition due to this tragic event, but were shocked when her coach told them she would continue as planned. No one knew how she could possibly do it. 

But she did it. And it was amazing.

Today was Joannie's short skate day. I hope you saw it. If not, I hope you will find a re-cap or a video of it so you can see it. It is one of the most moving things I have seen lately. Look at the expression on her face on the photo up above. It says so much. You can see her grief. You can see her determination. Her comfort upon the ice, the focus on her routine. I think she gathered every ounce of strength and courage she had and skated for her mother. 

Her routine was just lovely - she skated a personal best and ranked herself 3rd going into the long skate on Thursday. But it was the moment, the beauty of her moment that transcended her routine. I found the love and support coming from the crowd one of the most touching components of that moment as well. They started cheering for her even before her name came over the speakers. Their heartfelt emotion for her was electric - it lit up the entire stadium. They cheered through every move and were on their feet even before the end. I don't think there was a dry eye in the entire house. Even the NBC commentators showed their respect for her by remaining silent for the entire routine. It was truly a magical moment suspended in time. When NBC's Scott Hamilton finally broke the silence, it was through tears. The goodness in people can be a remarkable force. 

I love the above photo. Joannie in her finishing pose, a split second after finishing her routine. She tried so hard to smile, but she just couldn't hold it together any longer. All the grief and emotion, stress and relief, as well as the power she felt coming from the crowd, was too much. She doubled over for a moment and actually let out a few sobs, then quickly did her best to compose herself. In a world where we are constantly led to believe what is all too often something false and phony, this is the real face of strength and courage. It is an inspiration.

Joannie skated to face all four sides of the stadium and bow - with her hand over her heart most of the time - to acknowledge her gratitude to the audience. The crowd stood in their wild ovation the entire time, raising the roof. Every few moments she would breakdown with emotion, as in the photo above. My heart would break for her more every time I saw her do this. What a tragedy, and what a triumph.  

She finally does her best to smile and raise her arms in triumph before leaving the ice and burying her head into the overjoyed arms of her coach. Minutes later she waved and blew kisses to the crowd as she waited for her scores. Her mother would have been so proud.

It's stories like these that restore my faith in mankind in so many ways. That remind me what we're made of. That remind me most people will rise to the occasion. That remind me we have an inner strength to draw on that we don't even know we have. But we do have it. And it can do incredible things. I believe God is part of it all. You may not believe that, and that's okay too. Just believe that you have it in you.

* all photo credits: AP, GETTY IMAGES, or the Canadian Press - don''t throw me in jail

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This is another true story about strength that I happened to read today. (perhaps I should mention I wrote this post Tues. even though I posted it on Wed.) I guess today must be Strength Day :) It's written by a mom to her 3 daughters. I think it's actually one of the most touching stories I've ever read. It's very sweet, very tender. Those are 3 blessed daughters, to be able to draw upon that story during their lives. I hope you'll take the time to read it. 

Our Hero  by Karey M. of Mackin Ink

*artwork by Studio Mela