Dreaming Big at the Olympics--Big Skills, Safety and Success to All!

The fervor of another round of Olympic Games firing up in Sochi, Russia is catching on even while snowstorms blanket much of America and people around the world courageously conquer meeting their daily  needs and bigger life goals. Why not give yourself a pat on the back for being part of the team US-All? The Olympic Games are an inspiration for the competing athletes and their countries, as well as the citizens of each country. Somehow we feel we all are connected by having representatives from our patch of land on the plan-it with a government and programs that allow and support such awesome endeavors. Again, the trickle down effect can encourage youth to dream big and reach their goals, every game, slope, step and stroke of the way.

 Watching a historic win of Olympic swimmer is a cherished memory I hold of our heroic, and some would say Olympian-effort our teen son Kaelan Paton  when dying trying to save a friend from a raging river (who was thankfully saved by a skilled rope rescuer who also deserves to be heralded for his quick-thinking and bravery as well as skill). No one but the few friends who were with him in his final moments could see the split-second decisions Kaelan made and the other two successful rescue efforts he made from the river's edge for two friends before losing his life when he swam into turbulent waters. He reached his friend, then they both went under, with only his friend surfacing again. Thankfully a rope rescuer Skip Kosciusko was able to negotiate a challenging maneuver from over 30' above, put a loop of rope around the teenaged boy who was truly given a miraculous second chance.

Yet even then the currents pulled the lad back under the water, as though being caught in the jaws of a vicious dragon from some mythical tale. Skip was forced away by the thundering waterfall which tore his pants, yet like an angel he was able to reconnect with the boy 'destined to be saved only moments after Kaelan's mortal life had ended'.. Skip then ascended from the hellacious waters with the shocked survivor. Within a day or two, the details were shared to help us all begin to comprehend the sudden turn of events for a group of teens whose aim was simply to have a special time to celebrate the last day of their first year of high school. No one imagined it could be the last day of one or more of their lives. The consolation that only Kaelan was lost and that others did not also try to go into the unbeatable waters fraught with undercurrents is a message everybody can reflect on. We need training to override the burning desire to overcome unthinkable odds in a sudden dangerous situation

. There is also plenty to do to 'train up' for emergencies, whether changes during a storm or difficult weather, or plans to stay away from dangerous rivers, cliffs, places and activities without particular skilled supervision (with parental and even town approval and back-up if it is okay). Kaelan's dad David Paton almost made a whitewater Olympic team when it was re-introduced to the Games after a 20-year hiatus. The river and sport of whitewater was a big part of our family life and a key feature of our small towns in Connecticut.

There is much to ponder about the events of the past and let that inform our current hopes and practices for all parts of lives going forward. The Salisbury CT Ski Jumps will see dozens of athletes soaring in the air off a ski jump, some with Olympic dreams that are coming true for both men and women trying out for teams. Kaelan loved snowboarding ( with an article at www.tricornernews.com from 1-6-10 about his friends using the half-pipe jump that Kaelan helped design) and a brief youtube video shows him doing  a handstand with his feet strapped in his snowboard and a song playing "I don't want this moment to ever end..." We continue to draw inspiration and feel deep love for Kaelan as we do not only for all heroes and stellar athletes but for all braving their journeys of life..from returning veterans of war (and again, Kaelan's grandfather Dale Palmer Sr was in WWII and had a miracle of getting off his ship after three years of service and a medical emergency which occurred only months before the ship went out and sank with the crew.)

The balance of life and death, that we all have a mortal beginning and end, is another part of the human condition we can face courageously and creatively together the world over. The meaning is in the journey as well as the destiNation. Let us show up with respect and gratitude for the games of living, loving and learning with our Community Thinking KAPP (Kids, Adults, Parents Partnership) and a vision of being part of a growing forest and effort called Acorns to Oaks Team Outreach--Friends Uniter Network ( A-2020 FUN). Together we can meet any challenge, achieve worthy goals and be part of the Soul-ution as we collectively face our common problems and strive to make our plan-it earth one with more loving hearts, minds and souls!