Favorite Memory

The year: 2002.

I had just graduated college and was working, yes, at a sporting goods store. Not in the news as a killer reporter, but as a sales clerk hawking Olympic goods. (the only up side being that I was one of the first people to get those silly beret hats). I had finished work and was leaving to meet my two friends. We were going to wander the streets in search of snow boarders.

I met my friends and we left the downtown mall. The minute our feet hit the pavement we were swept up in a sea of people. Everyone was cheering, yelling and smiling. Not one to go against the crowd I happily allowed myself to be pushed along by this wave of good cheer. In fact, I was so easy going that next thing I knew I was IN THE FRONT ROW of a waiting crowd. I still had no idea what I was waiting for, but the excitement in the air was so contagious. Mary (one of my friends with me) and I kept smiling and cheering. Finally I asked someone next to me what was going on.

"The torch passing to the the first presidency" he yelled.

Right on! Check me out. I was on the front row to a coveted event. I stood there and chatted until the sound of sirens filled the air. Next thing I knew someone ran in front of me holding the Olympic torch and out stepped the first presidency. I cheered as the runner ran up the steps to the building (I can't remember which one it was). The crowed grew sort of silent as the torch being held by the LDS Church president, Gordon B. Hinckley was lit. The crowd erupted. I yelled like a twelve year-old at a Justin Timberlake concert. Cried like one too. That night I walked home in the frosty air, to my new apartment and new life, with an uplifted heart.

I will sure miss him.

My silly hat