02/10/2022
A memory appeared on my timeline, this morning. Have to share it, with you.
WOW! What a great week we had filming and broadcasting the 2013 NADAC Championships. We had some tech issues to overcome but between the engineers in France, San Fransisco, and the local IT department at the arena the broadcast was a success.
I don't believe I've ever witnessed the sense of 'family' at a Championship as much as what I saw this year. That's one of the things that makes NADAC unique and special, as an organization.
I had the amazing opportunity to witness something that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Describing it falls far short from being there to experience it. On Saturday morning, Sharon held a briefing outside between the main collasium and another indoor arena building. At the end, Martha (of Mat and Martha - the announcers), held up a small speaker attached to her Iphone or Ipod to play the national anthem. Unfortunately, the only ones who could hear it were those within a foot of the speaker. Everyone patiently and respectfully stood in place, with hats removed. Starting quietly, a voice was suddenly heard singing the words. Then another. Then a few more. Until the thread spread from person to person outward and everyone was connected and singing. It was angelic as the volume increased with each new voice and the buildings joining in by repeating what they heard. At the songs end, there was silence as the reverberation from the buildings drifted away into the crisp morning air. The Canadian anthem was next. A lady from Canada stepped forward and removed her coat to reveal a maple leaf on the front of her shirt. She leaned toward the little speaker and began singing, ever so quietly. Then, as if by que, a small choir of women formed around her and lifted up their voices almost in a whisper. The sound that reached me, as I stood mesmerized next to the other arena building, was precious. That's the only word I can think of to come close to describing it. Soft, perfect pitch, exact notes, the music flowed into your ear and made you feel all warm inside. I had goose bumps. The song ended, and the entire group erupted into cheering and the day had its beginning.
THIS is NADAC Champs.
