Celine

There are moments that pop up and transcend everything. Such a moment occurred during the opening night ceremonies of the Olympics from Paris, France.

Rachel and I joined millions of viewers gathered togethrt as the world stopped long enough to take a breath. During this pause 11,000 athletes came together to realize a dream. They have worked with fervor to represent their country in competition. For a precious moment, the athletes have the opportunity to represent their homeland. They will be present with 206 countries of all sizes compete with heart and with joyful enthusuasm.

The opening ceremony is the chance for the host nation to welcome the world in so many ways. Such an opening ceremony had never been seen. It was filled with music, with sudden turns, and with head scratching moments. It's not often we stop to wonder what we had just seen and what did it mean? Even more at times to wonder who put this part together and please don't ever do it again. I must say a headless Marie Antionette holding her own head as she sang is not something I will ever forget - even though I wish I could!

But the entire show was filled with emotion and the lighting of the cauldron attached to a hot air balloon was spectacular. My wife crewed for hot air balloons and was going through pilot training; she was rendered speechless. She explained to me how difficult it was to do what was done with the balloon and have it be so seamless.

Then as we sat in deep emotion my world was blown up! The opening verse of a French rang out pure and clear; immediately the world knew it was Celine Dion who had not performed in some five years because of her severe health challenge. Celine rose to the occasion with elegance and class that left our house filled with sobbing. When she finished the last note there was a brief silence and then the world erupted with pure joy and gratitude for what we had seen. It was an event in time that we will remember.

If you are not familar with her situation then stop reading and call uo the documentary "I Am Celine Dion." Watch the film and then come back to realize her courage in singing that song.

It is a disease called "stiff person syndrome pus." It is progressive and causes rigidity of muscles in the body, including the neck, the trunk, the legs, and the arms. There are seizures and difficulty walking and falls with broken bones. Anxiety is also common. The brain does not balance the nervous system so stimuli can be deadly. Yet as she said "My life is singing!" Each breath, each verse was a triumph; I loved how she attacked the song with the courage to produce a miracle. It was one of the highlights of my past few years; I will nor forget it.

Watch her documentary and what she has gone through. Then put on the performance one more time (I will do this when I finish typing my blog!) and watch with awe!!!