All The World's a Stage - Final Thoughts on Boston 2016

I'm not sure I have "final thoughts" on Worlds 2016. I'll leave that to the people who were actually there. All I can say is that having it in the US and having it in Boston was the BIGGEST shot in the arm skating could have received in our country.

Everyone brought an A Game. It didn't matter where they ended up in the rankings, they earned their way there through years of hard work. My hope is that they'll take away a lot of pride, as well as things to work on for the future. In some cases, the immediate pain of not meeting their expectations will hopefully pass into the realm of Lessons Learned and they will move forward.

For all those skaters and coaches who will go back to the drawing board as we head in to year three of the quadrennial and the march to PyeongChang, remember every moment in Boston - good and bad - and use it to build on your strengths. After all, this is a sport  you do; it is not who you are. Good or bad, it only defines you as a person if you allow it to do so. How you view yourself is the only thing that matters in life - on and off the frozen ponds and white-hot glares of the outside world. That is your ultimate "A Game," and it lasts long after the ice melts.

Poetic Justice This Holiday Season in an Ode to Nationals

 

It’s the countdown to Boston

My house is a mess

I’m glad there is no one I have to impress

Papers and boxes are flung everywhere

Christmas is coming – I don’t even care

My husband is settled all snug in our bed

But I’m up all night, I can’t shut off my head

There are boxes to fill – there are presents to wrap

I’m tired but I can’t even find time to nap

My livingroom’s filled with my holiday clutter

All I can do is just stare and just mutter

I’d hire someone but I don’t have the cash

My brain keeps on saying “Dump it all in the trash”

I can’t do that, of course. It’s for family, you know

But Boston is looming – we’ve just days to go

I wish there was someone who just would appear

To straighten this mess - then I’ll get out of here

A elfin-like helper, so lively and fast

Who’d make everything shine and then make it all last

His team would be with him; they’d come through the doors

He’d call them by name and then give them all chores:

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now clean away! clean away! clean away all!"

I’d sit on my sofa in awe of this mob

Who are cleaning, and dusting and doing my job

They’re professionally dressed from the head to the foot

While they vacuum the floor and get rid of the soot

One’s mopping the kitchen, one’s out in the back

Another one’s helping me find what to pack

Their eyes – how they twinkle!

Their dimples – how sweet!

And one of them just made me something to eat

One little guy with a very round belly

Brought me a muffin with raspberry jelly

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself

He gave me a snack and then later some wine

He set a nice table so we could both dine

With a wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

He told hubby and me we could go off to bed.

He finished his work, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim as they drove out of sight,

“Happy Nationals, Mom - and keep Sochi in sight!”