Applying for the Olympics

It all started on a chairlift at Stevens Pass in 2002. I was skiing by myself, to get a few runs in before I had to teach. I called "single" at the bottom of the chairlift and was doubled up with a 70 year old man. He wore the 2002 Olympic Volunteer coat, so I inquired if he gone to Olympics or just purchased the coat (it was a very handsome coat). As we rode up the hill, with broken sunlight, he began to tell me about his adventures at the Salt Lake City Games. He talked about the people he met, the energy of the games, the athletes, press, and interactions he had with people from all over the world. We got off of the chairlift and made the usual "have a good run" statements and started down the hill.

When I finished my run at the bottom of the hill, he was there again, and he asked if I wanted to ride up again together. Without a second thought, I slid right up next to him got back on the chairlift for my last run before teaching.

As we rode the Jupiter chairlift again, we slipped into an easy conversation that happens infrequently. I inquired more about his experiences. As it turns out, we had other common life experiences that we talked about. The chairlift stopped a few times (for those of you who know the Jupiter Chairlift at Stevens, you know that the likelihood of riding up that chairlift without stopping a number of times is rare).

When we neared the top of the second ride, he looked at me with a very serious expression and said that he had done extensive traveling and has had a great life, but the best thing he ever did in his life, was volunteer for the Olympics. I could see in his eyes the most sincere authenticity. It was like he was telling me I needed to go. When he got off the chairlift, he accelerated like a master's racer. I was left standing for a moment at the top of the hill with a new conviction. It was like he was telling me to go.....I never forgot.

So, 2009 comes around, and I know the Olympics are up the road in Vancouver/Whistler. I thought about it a lot, and because my personal life had changed so much in the past couple of years I wasn't sure if I could swing it. I had divorced and had since found a great friend and companion, Rod. My adult children were launching into adulthood with a few bumps that I felt I needed to be around for. My team at work had undergone challenges with illness and losses that created a shortfall. After thinking about the application process, and wondering if I should really do it or not, I took the bold step and placed my application on the Vancouver 2010 website with hesitation. To be honest, I thought it was late enough, that there really wouldn't be any chance that I would be selected. I had remembered the chairlift conversations, but dreams can't always be fulfilled when real life gets in the way.

In September 2009, I received a phone call from the volunteer center asking me for an interview for the Olympics. I couldn't believe it!! We set a time for the interview and I was ready when they called. My interviewer asked several questions about my history, focusing on my current work in care coordination at the hospital, my soccer coaching and ski instructor history, and many questions around whether I was comfortable driving in the snow. They also wanted to know if I had lodging. I explained that my aunt lives at Birch Bay, a few hours away, and that I was working on getting my Whistler time share. The interview lasted for about 25 minutes.

Then, she asked the final question, "Why do you want to volunteer for the Olympics?" I became choked up, the woman on the other end must have thought the line went dead.....A dozen images went through my head from past Olympics. "The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat", people from many countries strolling down the streets of Lillehammer Norway, Brian Boitano on his gold metal skate where he stated afterward that it felt like angels had lifted him off the ground during his final triple axle, Dave Johnson going outside the course, pulls it back in again to win gold in the downhill in 1984.....The emotions of people from countries all over the world in tears when their national anthem is played as they stand on the podium.....Now, I am choked up....."It is a lifelong dream of mine to be a part of the Olympics."

A large packet of forms were sent to my home and I painstakingly filled them out. They sat on my kitchen table for awhile. I was deciding whether I should really take the big step with time off from work. My care coordination team at work had undergone some huge stressors and I wasn't sure if taking the time would be best.

My daughter, Tia, approached me with the envelope gripped in her hand, arm raised so I could clearly see the address. She asked, "when are you going to send this in?" I explained my reservations. She said, "I need a stamp. Do you have stamps?". I looked at her with pain in my eyes.

"I'm not sure I should go".

"Where's a stamp. Do you have one, or should I go up to Safeway and buy one."

The next thing I knew, the envelope was missing from the kitchen table.

In November, I received a phone call while at work.

"We have put an offer on the On Your Mark (Vancouver 2010 Olympics) volunteer site, and we haven't heard back from you whether or not you would like to accept the position offered to you."

I apologized that I hadn't looked at the website in quite some time and would certainly look it up and review position. I asked him to explain it to me. He didn't have a lot of information, except the name, "Team lead for the workforce crew, Whistler Sliding Centre"

"Whistler?!!"

"Whistler."

"The venue between Blackcomb and Whistler?!

"Yes, between Whistler and Blackcomb"

Holy Smokes!!

"We are putting the schedule together, and will post it on the website in the next couple of weeks. Keep checking every couple of days for your schedule."

You might think that I was ecstatic, and I was....but dreams come with sacrifice. How was I really going to do this, knowing full well that there are people depending on me in Seattle from work, to home, and with my special relationship with Rod? As excited as I was, I didn't tell very many people, except for the people who needed to know. And my lodging was not completely figured out. But.....

Oh my gosh.....I am going to the Olympics!!! and I get to stay for 2 weeks!! Now I need to find lodging in earnest. With a little time on Craig's list, I was able to find a place to haul the trailer up, 5 blocks from Whistler Village.