Our whole trip has been like today; bits of luck, happenstance and great fortune all thrown in together to make one hell of an experience.
Right from the beginning of our application in February 2008, we have met fantastic people and been given exceptional opportunities to get us to Vancouver.
The positive energy did not stop there and so many amazing things have come our way that it's been difficult not to believe the universe is conspiring to our benefit.
Truthfully though, it's because of the volunteers that we are here. If it were not for Ben, Jen, Sean and Daisy this trip never would have happened and the five staff feel honoured to have been asked to attend. I have learned so much about these four people and see them differently than I did before, as with anyone you get to know better than acquaintance.
Ben is an old soul. Full of questions and always interested in what everyone is doing. Ben remembers everything you tell him and everywhere he has been. He has a knack of touching something in people, complete strangers even, that makes you want to open up and let him get to know you. He can tell you every Skytrain station and where the elevators are and assisted so many other lost tourists on their merry, city transit way.
Daisy is... well... sweet. Everyone likes Daisy the second they meet her. Don't let her smile fool you though; she is capable of directing thousands of people through security gates and will make sure you stop if you are going the wrong way. She is a determined lady who is worthy of admiration and that adds spice to the sweetness that is Daisy.
Sean is a charmer. With his outgoing personality, he could wrangle his way into the Canadian dressing room. He introduces himself to everyone he meets along with anyone who happens to be with him. I have met so many interesting people while traveling with Sean, people I would not have met otherwise. Sean truly knows how to get the most out of his experiences and if you get the chance I suggest going along for the ride.
Jen lives with gusto and wants to drag you along by the hand, making sure you do as well. She has been so caring of everyone else's experience and today it was incredible to watch the pinacle of her experience while ushering at the hockey game. If you haven't had the chance, watch the video from earlier today and you will witness it yourself. Jen will do great things, just because she approaches everything with big enthusiasm.
Tomorrow we fly back to Ontario. if I could take one thing home with me, I would carry the memory of my experience supporting these outgoing and hardworking people and how the relationships we have all built have made this the phenomenal experience it is.
