My Belated Post: Olympic Moment

I had the thrill of carrying the Olympic Flame on Nov.22/09 in Bridgewater NS. I was so excited when I received word mid August that I had been selected after applying through the RBC website in late spring. The next step was to sign the legal documents including agreeing to a security check by the RCMP. Obviously they don't want someone to try to make some sort of statement or scene. I finally was confirmed in September but was asked not to tell anyone until early October. I had not even told my family that I had applied - well, I did tell our son that I had applied but he promptly filed it under "forgotten".
The actual experience is difficult to describe; I had watched the flame being carried in Halifax in '88 with my kids, then six and eight and thought at the time "how cool is that?" It is emotional, an honour and a thrill as all who carry it say.
The organization of the event was outstanding. They give you a bit of history and a pep talk about an hour beforehand, you meet all the other torchbearers and hear their stories. I was really edgy at this point and didn't want to share my "my cancer story" but at Jill's (our daughter who flew home from Calgary for the event) urging I did so. The whole room was in tears by then but I felt that a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders and I was finally relaxed and enjoyed every moment from then on. They gave us our torches, loaded us on the bus where watched the torch video, got some last minute advice to enjoy the moment. When I was dropped off on King Street Jill and Sandy and Bruce were there and loads of friends and family. I was not prepared for all the people who wanted to have their picture taken with me(well, actually the torch). It was such a magical experience lighting your torch, and carrying that flame. I saw all my friends and family along the route, and thought about how this was the flame that originated in Greece and that we would see lit in Vancouver. I was becoming short of breath towards the end, and was relieved to spot the glowing RBC Bank sign up ahead which marked the end of my 300 meter segment. Once the RCMP officer extinguished my flame I was back on the bus in less than 5 minutes- not even time for a breath of oxygen. Afterwords, we had everyone back to the the house for finger food and drinks...a perfect end to a perfect evening. Ceilidh and Meg presented me with my torch which was a gift from all of their family, and my bee girls presented me with a banner in the shape of the torch that everyone could sign. Two very special mementos: how lucky I am!