So this is good-bye.

Seventeen days in February and 10 in March. A combined 45 medals for Canada, 24 of them gold. A torch run that lit a nation on fire, a fire within every heart. It is still sinking in, still surreal that my beloved city of Vancouver actually hosted a Paralympic and Olympic experience. This was real, was it not?

This really, actually happened.

The crowds have left and the flags will follow soon. The Olympic flame has been extinguished. Downtown will return to its busyness with a quiet, quiet Robson Square at its centre. And yet, as much as we have changed the two Winter Games, so they have also changed us. John Furlong said at the Olympic closing ceremonies that the people of this nation are now more in love with Canada than ever before. I thought I could not love Canada as much as I already did, but boy, Furlong sure proved me wrong. John spoke again, earlier tonight at the Paralympic closing ceremony, how we have new heroes now, how, look! they are Paralympians. THAT makes me proud, proud of how far we’ve come along. Greg Westlake, forward on our ice sledge hockey team, rightly believes that the profile of his sport has been raised, and that no more would it be like Torino four years ago, “…when we won and nobody knew.”

We all have new heroes in our athletes, our volunteers and even our leaders, but what of us?

The city had changed, transformed into something that I had never seen before. A party, friendly to even the littlest tyke, one that had no curfew, no need for rest. So many moments of triumph shared with strangers as we watched Maëlle Ricker, Ashleigh McIvor, Roberto Luongo and so many others sing “O Canada” on the podium. Jon Montgomery’s huge heart and the unforgettable, pure, duo of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Then, there were the disappointments, the heartbreaking scenes of Melissa Hollingsworth in tears apologizing to a nation. Of tragedy with Joannie Rochette’s mother suddenly passing away and a nation reaching out to support her. And finally, of incredibly courage and strength as Joannie stayed in competition to win a bronze medal.

Many days, I would wander through Downtown after work with my camera in hand, just soaking it all in. Sometimes alone, sometimes with friends. But then, I was never really alone, eh? These Games were the most connected, where social media really took on new light. I can remember how the amazing tongue-in-cheek commentary on Twitter brought a dash of hilarity and joy to everything. How we knew right away about what was happening, and where the Black Bloc hit that second morning of the Olympics. How our updates were far quicker than some major media outlets. Being able to cover the experience with True North Media House was a privilege; tweeps made me proud. Fans of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team are the most obnoxious, they say? How about a whole nation of #Van2010 die-hards? That is also change.

I feel blessed to have experienced all this. Thankful that I got to attend to some events. Awestruck by the spirit as I walked along Granville Street after leaving the closing ceremonies. Humbled that I had never respected Paralympians as much as I should have before. Most of all, I am encouraged beyond words at what our nation and what each one of us accomplished. Truly, “I believe in the power of you and I.”

Let the cauldron stand unlit, let the Olympic banners fall. We cannot return to what has passed. But now, that fire lit by the torch run so long ago? It will burn forever.

Folks, go live the rest of your lives now, impacted by these glowing hearts!

AJ Pau

In describing AJ within 50 words, “mobile” and “phone” would show up for sure. Beginning with a palmOne Treo 650 long ago, AJ’s used many devices from Europe, Japan, even North America. He’s dabbled with the Internet since discovering Netscape 1.0 as a child and is neurally linked to Twitter.

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