With the celebration of Thanksgiving behind us, I thought I would give thanks for some of the things recently in my life.
I am thankful for the usual things that are taken for granted from day to day. My wonderful partner, my great family, my fantastic friends, my health, my job, fresh air (most of the time), a cozy home and food to eat (sometimes too much). I am also very thankful to be Canadian and to live in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.
John and I recently travelled to Dublin, Ohio to watch Graham DeLaet compete for the President's Cup. A person takes a certain sense of pride with them to an event like this when one of the participants is not only Canadian but originates from the place you call home.
We were pleased to see a number of Weyburnites who made the trip to share in Graham's experience but we were also delighted by the number of Canadians who made the trek. You soon realize that these fans are here as 'proud Canadians'. They don't know Graham or his family. They were there as supporting Canadians and for their love of the game of golf.
We had some great conversations with numerous Canadians who stopped us or commented on our Rider jerseys and Canadian flags sticking out of our hats or umbrellas. These people were there to witness only the second Canadian to make the International team. To cheer for the 'underdog' team member who lives in the U.S. but proudly calls Canada his home.
It must have been terrifying when Graham approached that first tee box. I know he's a professional but it's like going to the dentist for the first time. It doesn't matter how much you prepare for it, until you get that 'no cavity' green light, you don't relax. I'm sure it doesn't matter how long you've played the game or how many big events you've qualified for, they all say that those butterflies are still in the pit of your stomach when you're in competitive sports until you get 'the game' underway.
One problem I did have was with the abundant USA crowd. I totally get cheering for 'your' team on 'your' home turf (remember I'm a Rider fan) but why can you not acknowledge a great shot from a fellow competitor? The USA chant was at times obnoxious, rude and grew old for me by the end of the first day. This crowd would cheer (loudly) when the USA would half a hole with a short two foot putt but would stare down the small group of us that would clap when 'our guy' would drain a 30' putt. Now that's talent (or the golf gods on your side), but still something that doesn't happen every hole and should be appreciated.
Another thing that bugged me, was how some fans would go from hole to hole and pick golfers out and constantly call out their names. 'Phil' (Mickelson), (Matt) 'Kooch' (Kuchar), 'Tiger' (Eldrick Woods) do not know who you are from a hole in the ground. I know you have bought tickets to this event and you think as a fan that you are 'entitled' but seriously, it's annoying. I'm sure the 'bubblies' didn't help with this behavior either, but that just reinforced to me how hard it would be to be in the public eye while playing a sport.
All I know is that when Graham sunk that bunker shot on the 18th hole on that final day of the President's Cup, I was never so proud to be Canadian. Most people never get a chance to be part of something like that in person. We usually cheer from our living rooms and sing or hum our national anthem with pride. Well, John and I got to do that in person. Not only did we sing 'O Canada' but we joined in chants of 'Weyburn, Weyburn, Weyburn'. Thank you, Graham!
Finally, I am thankful to be part of a city that is home to three professional athletes currently in the limelight - Graham DeLaet, Brendon LaBatte and Brett Jones. Being a sports nut helps me hold my own when it comes to conversations concerning these three but even if you don't know anything about sports, you have to feel some sense of pride that a small city like Weyburn can produce this caliber of athlete.
This week's favorite Facebook sayings:
If I had spoken to my parents the way some children do now, I wouldn't be here. Some children need to learn the meaning of respect.
You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one.
Pet peeve of the week: Laziness.plain and simple. I am so sick of the lazy children in our society who find it an exertion just to brush their teeth, let alone do any household chores. Worse than that are the lazy parents who allow them to "rule the roost". As I've said many times before, you are not doing your children any good by not "rocking the boat". My parents "rocked" my butt and just knowing that was incentive enough to get things done. I may have thought it "sucked" at the time (although that was just the way it was, and I never knew any different) but I think my parents did a pretty darn good job.
Maybe that's just me.let me know what you think!
