A Thirst for Head-First

The call that came through the afternoon of Dec 21 was indeed a conversation I will remember forever:

2011/12 Team Canada Swag

Me: “Hello?!” 
Coach: “Hey, so what are your New Year’s Eve plans?” 
Me: “Um, nothing so far.” 
Coach: “Well, that’s about to change Miss Hawrysh, as you will be getting on a plane to Europe that afternoon!”
Me: (silence) 

Coach: (laughing) “That’s right, you have been called up to the EUROPA CUP Circuit for 2nd half!”
**insert my happy dance here**


That news has barely sunk in, and I’m writing to you between flight number one of two, en route to Munich, Germany! 

… Okay, okay now it’s starting to feel real.

 
In terms of holiday “time off” I was very thankful the national team timeline still allowed me to come home. Even a few days in Manitoba is always good for the mind, the body and the soul. 

This time around, as it tends to happen with every trip home, I was happily reminded of my roots. You know, those deep seeded values and small city understandings that are embedded in the depths of who you are. Those values are watered and nourished by the individuals that come in and out of your life. Some play gardener for a shorter time than others but every single person has a pivotal role in the growth process as a whole.

Metaphors aside, I want to take a moment to send a heartfelt shout-out to a small handful of amazing people and groups who have been apart of my most recent development and continued success:

• Alberta Skeleton Association and Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton coaches, teammates and support staff
• My strength and conditioning coach: Michael Steen
• All past and present members of Team X-ILE
• Jeff Pain and Wilfried Schneider
• Calgary Booster Club
• Matt Nichol of BioSteel
• Leech Printing Ltd.
• Q Energy
• The Brandon Sun
• The Regina Leader Post
• Kris Astaphan and Dr. Larry Stanleigh for AgilityGuard
• Neelin Spartans Alumni and friends:  Michael Adamski, Corrie Ferguson, Daryle McCannel, Kathryn McCannel, Jessi Beth McCannel, Ally Menzies, Jayme Menzies, Bill Gadd, Jen Lopes and Marrla Evans.
• Fast and Female
• Matt Ferguson for Ankle Foot Maximizer (AFX)
• Ongoing sponsorship guidance from Miss Erin Darroch
• The entire Charney clan
• D2, M2 and their little ones
• The incredible patience and endless support of Heath Spence
• And of course, my superhero parents: Mum and Dad, you continue to never let me look back; only forward – in the direction of success.

THANK YOU! 


Sometimes I wish I had a master list of names that I could just constantly add to as my life goes along its winding path. Because I’m certain I’ve never truly been able to express the gratitude I feel to every single person who has ever taken even a millisecond to believe in me – but I want you to ALL know that in whatever capacity it was shown, your support was and continues to be more than appreciated. After all, no one can do everything alone!


Well, we are about to board our connecting flight that will take us over the Atlantic Ocean and into Europe. (Yes, this IS my first transcontinental trip)

Up up and away

So, happy 2012 to you all – this is indeed just the beginning of another amazing year!


xx

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