Wow! There are many words to describe Thursday's Olympic Torch Relay celebration in Sechelt, but wow just about covers it.
Our Canadian hats and flags are off and flying to the District of Sechelt, the local Olympic organizing committee, the many volunteers and, most importantly, the good people of the Sunshine Coast who turned out in the hundreds, packing into the Sechelt Spirit Square to enjoy the festivities.
Young and old were proudly wearing their red and white, waving Canadian flags and embracing the Olympic spirit.
And what a stage show we all witnessed. From Arbutus Sounds to Acapella Strait, high-energy performances from presenting sponsors RBC and Coca-Cola to the elementary school choir, the feeling was electric and the crowd cheered with enthusiasm for their community, their province and their country.
The greatest moment of the morning, however, was the arrival of the Olympic Torch by our community torchbearer Sarah Doherty.
Doherty exhibits immense pride in her community and represents all that is good about this community. When Doherty lost her leg in a car accident in 1973, that didn't stop her. She has conquered more than her fair share of challenges along the way, becoming the first woman with one leg to summit Mount Rainer on crutches.
She truly represents all that is good about the Olympic Torch, the Olympic Spirit and what the Olympics represent.
Seeing her come through the crowd and go up on stage to light the cauldron gave us goose bumps. It was a stirring and unforgettable moment and we can only imagine what feelings were churning inside her.
Sarah told us that the Torch Relay is just one link of a huge chain of many types of Canadians from all over who have taken part in this Relay.
To her this is what the flame is all about. It's about community spirit; it's about celebrating the ability to be the best you can be.
The Sunshine Coast's spirit came out in droves Thursday. We should all be proud to have witnessed and shared in this experience. This is a once in a lifetime event. We know there are some who are against the Olympics, but they are almost here - seven days, in fact, until the opening ceremonies.
Get behind this event. Celebrate life, and celebrate being a proud Canadian.
Embrace the Olympic spirit.
