The arrival of the Olympic torch brought an opportunity for some fun, a chance to be a part of something bigger, and something historical (so I told my children). I have to admit I wasn't really excited about the torch and I'm not big on anything that presents itself as something more than it is. Fire on a stick... right, whats so exciting about that. But being a good parent and realizing that despite how I may feel my kids should have the opportunity to go and see and make their own assumptions. We wandered down to the school where the torch was going to start its journey through the city and I'll have to say as the crowd started to grow there was an energy starting to build.
The kids were immediately excited as bright red flags were handed out and someone announced free hot chocolate and timbits were available just inside. As the first runner appeared and his torch lit the energy level went way up, way fast. And as he took his first steps and started to run things got a little crazy. The kids of the families poured out of the school grounds with the runner and joined him on his journey. It was quite a sight, and I had to admit at that moment I was sold. However there would be time to reflect later, I had to find my children among the mass of bodies running along fences, on the road and in and out of parked cars.
Seemed harmless enough initially.
And hey, if you get to hold "the stick" I think that's pretty cool too.
