I have to admit, not much got done this month.  I was totally engrossed with watching the winter Olympics in Vancouver.  

For 16 days I watch sports I never give a second thought to for years.  I laugh and cry over the personal struggles and life history of people I’ve never heard of before.  I throw around terms like Telemark landing, fifth end, good turnovers, bad turnovers and half pipe.  

But besides the thrill of watching the absolute elite in a sport perform at their best, the Olympics hold a special appeal for me.

In a world that constantly disappoints and embarrasses me with its wars, terrorism, poverty, ignorance, bigotry and hatred, this is one time when the whole world agrees to get together in peace.  People from practically every country, race, culture and religion live together, eat together and play together.  Sport seems to be able to accomplish what no other group or ideology can.  

My favourite part happens at the closing ceremonies when all the athletes come in together as one great blend of humanity.  For one brief moment I can believe that the people of this planet could someday live united and peaceful and this is what it would look like.