Thursday, February 18, 2010

Journey, grace and walking music

Dreaming of spring. My "weedy pot" during the recent snow.

- Realizing only yesterday that there is a message stitched into the edge of the inner pocket of my jacket, "Life is a journey. Stay warm. Keep dry."

- Blinking back tears while watching the Olympics medal ceremony in which skier Lindsey Vonn receives her gold medal. There are a number of athletes who have handled themselves with grace and dignity during the games and she is one of them. Another is Canadian first at-home gold medalist, Alexandre Bilodeau, who spoke so proudly of his uncomplaining handicapped brother and all he must endure that he inspired a bystander at The Today Show interview to say Bilodeau makes him proud to be Canadian.

- Following a singing man down the hall after my volunteer stint at Georgia Public Broadcasting. As he holds the elevator door for me, I tell him how much I enjoyed his hallway singing. (It was “O mio babbino caro” (O My Beloved Daddy) from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi.”) He says a little sadly that he is not as good as he used to be. I say that we could all say that about something and thank him for the few moments of walking music.

14 comments:

LL Cool Joe said...

Yes it is sad when we realise that we aren't as good at something as we used to be, but I find that in other ways, in other areas, we often improve at things. :)

Lynn said...

Joe -

Exactly - I feel the same way. This man went on to say that he performed for many years, but had to give it up. (Didn't say why.)

Anil P said...

It is so much of how is that we draw solace from our own memories of how we were or what we were years back.

I suppose it is in some ways a healing process to know so, a way to come to terms with what we are now because of what we cannot now be.

Riot Kitty said...

You have the neatest stories - I love the singing man! Thanks for sharing.

Lynn said...

Anil -

That is a great point, and I am certain you are correct.

Riot Kitty -

Thank you - when things like that happen, my head goes immediately to my blog.

Meredith said...

Puccini in the hallway, how lovely! I understand that man completely. I'm feeling that way about my language-learning ability now, as I try to learn F.'s native language. It was so easy to pick up multiple languages when I was younger, and now I struggle to remember three new vocabulary words from day to day. But Joe is right, so many things are now much better -- and I wouldn't trade the person that I am today for that quicker brain and ready talent of yesteryear. ;)

The message in your jacket is fun. What a clever and gentle reminder!

As always, the pot with the volunteer plant in it makes me smile. I'm wondering what will sprout there this year. :)

TALON said...

I love the message in the jacket lining.

Lindsey Vonn raced perfectly on a gruelling course and with an injury! These athletes are amazing. And Alex is so touching when he speaks of his older brother - his real inspiration.

It doesn't matter that the singer isn't as good as he used to be or not - it's wonderful that he's still singing and enjoying it and sharing it.

Sara said...

I also cried when Lindsey Vonn won her metal. I love people who are courageous and go after what they want. It had to be very painful for her to get that mountain, but she did it and with amazing grace.

I also loved when she cried on the shoulder of her husband/coach...it made me cry harder.

There are so many wonderful stories that come up of a major event, like the Olympics.

I always think about the athletes who participate with no chance of of a medal, yet they go for it just as those who win gold. It's the ability to persevere and push oneself to the limits and that takes courage, I think.

Lynn said...

Meredith -

It was lovely! And the language thing - very difficult. My niece is married to a man from Turkey and is trying to learn his language it is just so difficult to learn, but she is getting there. They sent a film of their baby and he was speaking to her in Turkish, so maybe she'll learn it, as well as English.

I sort of like my weedy pot, that needs no care. The few remaining sprouts of living things came right back in spite of being covering in snow for a couple of days.

That was so funny about the message in my jacket pocket - a lovely little touch that they don't have to do. I love it when someone goes the extra mile to add a touch like that.

Talon -

Absolutely - I told him how much I enjoyed it and that he sounded so good. He must view that as a lost dream.

Speaking of dreams - it is so much fun to see the excitement of the medal winners. Lindsey Vonn was so obviously choked up and she behaved with dignity.

Sara -

Thanks for coming by! Yes - I agree about the non-medal winners. So much courage just to compete.

Blue Bunny said...

yoo says the most beeyootiful things I ever reeded on the whole wied internets.

do you reely haz that stitched in your jacket?? wow, that is a mutch thing of love.

gotta go!

xo

Lynn said...

Blue Bunny -

I was checking my jacket pocket for something and noticed that saying. I like it when someone goes the extra mile to add a nice touch like that. Just like your Jannie does when she cuts your karrits up in neat shapes, I'll bet. :) xoxo

Lance said...

Lynn,
What a great saying to put in a jacket. And Olympic stories that touch upon something greater than just the sport are touching experiences...

Snaggle Tooth said...

That Weedy Pot has big plans, I bet! Interesting pockets you have-
I saw that ceremony n got misty too! Olympics are on all early am for me after work hours.
Opera in the hallway- can't knock a free concert. I feel that way about my singing too- as you age the throat gets looser, the notes not as easy.
Has your snow melted? We're above freezing in the afternoon- but the icy snow is hanging on here-

Lynn said...

Lance -

It makes me smile - all my three things made me smile that day.

Snaggle -

The early morning is good time to watch those recaps of the Olympics. This is the second morning in a row that our national anthem was playing while I made coffee a few minutes ago. Misty again.

Yes - the snow lasted exactly 24 hours because the rain came in and washed it all away. It was fun to see a few snowmen around though while it lasted.