Oh that Canadian 4x100; Liddell's legacy lives on; MAiD you weep.

3 Things this week and the poem Our Home

Happy weekend. Thanks for spending some of it with Things I Wrote Down.

Well, all good things must come to an end, to quote the title of the final episode of STNG. (If you know you know). This weekend the Olympics wrap up.

As a kid I remember we’d just have the Olympics coverage on the TV pretty much 24-7. We watched what the big network served up. In some ways there was more of a personal sense of connection to the country, to the individual athletes.

My viewing experience was notably different this year. Today, it’s more a-l-carte. More stories from around the world. More glory. More controversy. Mostly highlight videos on X and quick news hits on Instagram. Good and new things begin, too.

I hope you enjoyed some glorious moments. Feel inspired by the incredible stories of athletes. Imagined what’s possible when people come together. Did some sit ups.

1. Oh that Canadian 4x100

I think they surprised us all. And oh what a race. It was sweet to see Andre DeGrasse, who now shares the all-time Olympic medal count with swimmer Penny O, anchor the race and blitz to the finish line.

It was nostalgic, bringing back memories of glory from the Donovan Bailey days of track and field. There were so many stories of grace and courage as athletes gave their best on the biggest stage. Sometimes achieving glory, sometimes falling short.

We were so proud at our house to see Sophia Jensen, my cousin’s daughter, make the finals at her first Olympics in the 200 m canoe sprint.

Cheering for Sophia with Sophie.

What an achievement. It was fun to cheer her on in the early morning hours and see all her hard work and the commitment and sacrifice of her family and team come to fruit. It was a close race! And pretty neat to see her countrywomen take the gold.

2. Eric Liddell’s legacy lives on

A few weeks ago I mentioned the inspiring story of Eric Liddell, who did the impossible at the 1924 Paris Olympics and won a race he hadn’t trained for —the 400 meter sprint—winning gold (and glory for God). And I asked, “What will happen in Paris 2024 that inspires us?”

Now we know. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone inspired us, winning the 400 m hurdles as she set a world record and shared her deep and genuine faith the whole way through the process.

She’s talked about how some brands have stayed away from her because she’s vocal about her faith. But she cool with that.

"I credit all that I do to God. Regardless of what happens, He’s going to get the praise. Every time I step on the track I pray 'Let me be the vessel in which you’re glorified'… that’s why I do what I do."

She won gold in the 400 m relay as well (the same distance race Liddell won 100 years ago), and commentators have noted that she could win the event on her own.

Yowza.

This clip of German Olympic Gold Medalist Yemisi Ogunleye singing the song that helped her refocus and put for Gold is a beautiful moment too.

Photo from @Sports_Specturm on X

3. MAiD you weep

Sorry to end on a downer, but this article from Cardus has to be shared. It’s shocking to see the MAiD numbers in Canada climb on a chart that compares euthanasia deaths in Canada to other nations.

Watch the quick clip:

From Exceptional to Routine: The Rise of Euthanasia in Canada dives very deep on the process of oversight for reporting in Canada. Highlights:

• "Every Canadian province has seen a surge in MAiD deaths since legalization."

• "There is no method to independently review the accuracy of Health Canada’s MAiD reporting in Canada."

• "As in Ontario, death certificates in Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador contain no mention of assisted dying."

Watch the numbers climb and remember that these are thousands upon thousands of lives.

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Our home - A poem

I wrote this short poem that we had, for a time, framed on our wall. I’ve misplaced the frame in our move, but need to find it again and dust it off.

It’s a poem about what we’re built on, the things that hold us up. And what our hope is for the people who walk in and step out of our doors.

I hope you enjoy it.

Our home

If you look closely
you will see our home
is built not only with mortar and
brick, metal-pierced lumber
wired and wrapped with the ligaments
and muscle of the material world.

First it is built on love and
established in prayer. Faith holds
the parts together. Laughter and
kindness furnish it with many
wonderful things.

Yes, there are sometimes
tears, because we’re not yet 
in our eternal home, our
permanent street, but they too
cleanse us.

We have no fear the power
will go out, for God
is our light.

As you go from here, may the friendship and
peace you’ve found within these walls
go with you to the place you are
building into a home.

© 2024 Andrew Kooman