NANA SAYS OLYMPICS INSPIRE CHILDREN

Rio Olympics have had its share of ups and downs for our athletes. As young children watch our athletes compete and try for a medal, there is often a few that get very inspired to say maybe I can do that too. Feeling proud for one's country and yelling- Go Canada Go! My grandchildren were thrilled with some track events and swimming on a recent sleepover. It was good for me to see them so interested in the events. More than just sports- geography, history, math- are some of the concepts that can be reviewed as the events unfold. Even hearing the different languages spoken by the athletes can lead to a willingness to learn another language. Learning about the hard work, training and dedication to a sport are life values and skills that children may absorb by osmosis. Needing to move and get out there - off the couch and off the gadgets! Knowing the names of the winners! The overall feeling of pride in one's nation is a good thing for our children! Olympics with its many lessons of life!

LET'S GO TO RIO-BRAZIL FOR THE GAMES

Go Canada Go. The Summer Olympics begin today. So get out your red and white to root for our Canadians. Hopefully, the athletes will achieve their goals and some might bring home some medals for us. Despite all the politics and construction woes, I am sure Brazil will shine on the world stage. Not sure about the time zones but it should be closer to our time so no need to be up at 4 in the morning for live events. Might learn a little Portuguese while we are at it!

A SWEET END TO THE OLYMPICS-A CANADIAN HOCKEY GOLD

A sweet end to the Olympics with the hockey win and a  few other medal surprises. The Own the Podium program has really helped our athletes to be elite. It is not just a 4 year endeavor. Encouraging people of all ages to partake in sports has life long effects. Knowing how to participate on a team. Children  have heroes to emulate and know that hard work may pay off. Not just to get a medal but to have a discipline and skills for the future. Olympics inspire us and make each nation proud  celebrating medals and personal bests. It they also teach us that the youth of the world can come together and participate in a larger humanitarian meaning that we can get along as a world. Winning hockey was great but seeing our country unite coast to coast to coast was beyond words. Goodbye Winter Olympics for another four years! See you at the summer ones in 2. Now back to the usual household tasks and routines. What will we talk about now at work? Maybe just work again! Are you a little sad the Olympics are over? Or are you glad to get back to the normal routines?

A SILVER LINING WITH HEART AT SOCHI

Tessa and Scott gave us a flawless performance. With judging, the best does not always win! Proud Canadians accept the end result as we do not have sour grapes. We are a polite and caring nation. The clouds have a silver lining! When someone gives us their heart, appreciation and love follow. For them, they felt they did their very best. Thanks Tessa and Scott for making us feel on top of the world!

NANA SAYS SOCHI OLYMPICS HAVE MANY LESSONS FOR CHILDREN

The Winter Olympics in Sochi does not just teach children about sports but many other aspects. Across this country in copious classrooms of all ages, children are celebrating Sochi. Pretend Olympic ceremonies with fake torches children are participating. World maps on the walls showing the countries where athletes originate. Learning where Sochi is and more about the country of Russia. A map of Canada with the hometowns of our athletes are teaching little Canadians about Canada. Sportsmanship and the need to respect each other are  paramount too. An example, the Canadian cross country ski coach running on the track to give the Russian skier a new ski so he could finish the race he had lost with dignity to cross the finish line in front of his home crowd. The spirit of the Olympic with its original intention that people participate together and may the best one win. Even just finishing the race is so important too. Knowing the athletes are elite. Knowing that hard work pays off but does not always make one a winner. Seeing children and youth inspired by the whole event makes this Nana smile. Learning about feelings and what it meas to feel patriotic is now in their conscience. Winter sports can be fun and rewarding! For young girls seeing women compete in similar events as the men inspires as well! Yeah Sochi! An added note, this writer now knows where Sochi is located and am actually revisiting Russian history learnt in High School! Good for children of all ages!!

SOCHI SOCHI-LOVE OF THE OLYMPICS

Are you an Olympic groupie? I love the Olympics. In the last 20 years it has been more enjoyable to watch them with Canadians actually winning medals. Despite any negative press about how ready Sochi is, I like Lisa La Flamme's enthusiasm last night on CTV news. She was positive and looking forward to the Opening Ceremonies. It makes me wonder how much world bad press there was about our amazing Vancouver Olympics. Calgary hosting in 1988 was quite incredible too! I believe the Russians will be great hosts and showcase their culture well. Oh yes since 1972 there has to be realms of security-such a pity. But the crazies of the world use a positive world event for their cause. Here's to all the athletes, coaches and parents who make this happen. I know where Sochi is on the world map and am learning more about Russian geography in that area. Here's to Sochi-let the games begin! I am sure there will be lots of thrills. Since there has been a worry about snow-here in my area we have snowbanks full of the white stuff. So you can come and get some of ours anytime. To my Russian readers-some friendly competition-let's see who will win the Hockey-it is a Canadian invention!

NOW THAT THE OLYMPICS ARE OVER, WHAT'S ON TV?

Over two weeks of Olympic and athletic accomplishments, whenever an Olympics ends there is always a feeling of withdrawl! Cheering and feeling good about not only our Canadian athletes but the wonderful stories of other nations achieving some glory too takes over the daily conversations! With nothing much to watch on TV perhaps it's time to return to the summer reading! What do you think?

WINNING AT ANY COST-IS IT WORTH IT?

As we watch the Olympics and root for our country, it is always wonderful to see the best and those who do their personal best. Canada making it to number 5 from 8th in Women's Gymnastics was amazing. The little swimmer from Lithuania winning that gold for a country that does not come first. Concerns about cheating again in the pool is a reminder of the 1972 Olympics. We Canadians with our terrible Ben Johnson scandal makes us more vigilant to take ownership of cheating with drugs or doping. Besides the continued use of any drug could compromise the longevity of a person. Is it it worth it for a moment of glory to die before your time? Does anyone really want to face that consequence? There are enough events and medals to go around that can be shared by athletes of the world so many nations can be proud of their heroes. Olympics give incentive to todays' children and youth to try to excel in sports with lifelong benefits. We are told exercise has many wonderful possibilities for good health. Good clean competition is wonderful to see. May the best man or woman win in each event. But is pushing your athletes to win just a gold as a silver or bronze does not count  seem somewhat barbaric? State run programs work in some countries. However taking young children from their families in their childhood to live elsewhere denies them a chance, well to have a family. Does it give the emotional grounding needed to live as a well rounded adult? Where do you belong? To the state or to your family? We Canadians saw what such a move did to our First Nation people a couple of generations ago when young children went to residential schools. It was a blight on our history that we are still correcting. Winning is good but with the support of family, the immediate community, friends then comes the nation. I would not want to sacrifice one child for the sake of a Gold medal if it meant an adult without an identity. One moment of glory often does not account for decades of living out of the spotlight. What do you think is winning at any cost worth it?

LONDON'S OLYMPIC FEVER-GOOD LUCK FROM CANADA

As the London Olympics-2012 are about to begin today, we Canadians are reminded of our three times as hosts. Montreal-1976, Calgary-1988 and Vancouver-2010. The aftermath of hosting such an event can have such ripple effects for years to come. Like the Calgary ski hill that is used as a park and a training grounds for ski jumping and other sports. Those of us that could not attend the events can still visit after the fact as tourists.

So as memories are created over the next two weeks- here's to all our athletes, athletes of the world and London- have a blast!

A POSTCARD FROM BARCELONA SPAIN

While tidying my folks' home with other family members,  I discovered many cards, letters and of course- postcards. What a delight to have a whole new supply and messages to share with readers. Mom and Dad attended many churches over the years and were friends with pastors and missionaries. This card from the beautiful city of Barcelona reflects one such friendship.

" June 23/99
Our thoughts were with you even as we enjoy Spain. Spent 5 days in Madrid seeing much of the city. Gordon took sick to his stomach and unable to eat on Friday night, Saturday &, Sunday. He was supposed to speak at the church on Sunday. However, Dick prepared a message on Saturday &, spoke on Sunday with an interpreter! We left Madrid on Tuesday and we are in Barcelona. It's a beautiful city and a very old city with lovely buildings, cathedrals, great sea-shore and many interesting things to see. Hope you're feeling much better Maisie & your back is healing. Love to you both. Dick & Doris"

Spain with its rich history and culture is sure a wonderful place to see. Sonya was in Spain at the end of her High School years with a group of friends. It was home to the Olympics years ago.

If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.