Ok, so that's a little dark, but I couldn't resist. Here's a picture of the ring that my parents got me for making the Olympic Team. It is the same as the one my grandfather, father and uncles all have, and it fills me with pride to follow the family tradition and join them in owning one. My whole life I have admired their rings and dreamed of getting one for myself one day. I guess you could say it was the tangible dream that was attached to the dream of making the Olympics. Needless to say, when they gave it to me at dinner the other night I was super excited, it is definitely one of the best gifts I have ever received, so thank you to them again. It's also gotten me that much more excited to be going to the Olympics. Up until now, making the team has been pretty much just having my name on a list, and while it is a great list to be on, sometimes it doesn't feel 100% real. Getting this ring has made me feel like an Olympian, and made me proud to be the 5th person from my family, and 3rd generation to be one. Over the next month I know I'm going to experience some incredible things, and I know that I'm going to enjoy the whole Olympic experience, from the Opening Ceremonies to the racing, and that they will be memories that I never forget. This gift has reminded me of that. While I am not satisfied with just going to the Olympics, I'm there to compete and will do everything I can to have my best race and be in contention for a medal, I will make sure to enjoy it while I'm there, and this ring will be a reminder for my whole life of what I have already achieved, no matter what place I come. Of course now that I have a ring just like my uncles, dad and grandfather, I can concentrate on bringing home some other precious medal from the Olympics...Oh ya, and I found this little excerpt from an old book that my grandfather had.
The year 1948 of the Second Age. Here follows the account of Oldershaw, Olympian of Canada, and the finding of the Ring of Power. "It has come to me, the One Ring. It should be an heirloom of my family. All those who follow in my bloodline should be bound to its fate, for I will risk no hurt to the Ring. It is precious to me..."
Cool eh? Sounds familiar. Well, that's all for now, thanks for reading and keep your paddle in the water.