The impact we have on each other

At the book signing event at Indigo last week a moment took place that makes the whole journey of writing A Hero's Journey: Beyond Little Norway and Olympia Sports Camp an inspiration. Yes the process is about promoting and selling books but sometimes the universe points us in a direction that is far more valuable and long-lasting. The societal scorecard that Dave Grace always refers to in his Hero's journey talks would ask how many books were sold but when an angel from my past walks in, who cares! Some of the greatest things in life are not things. Case in point: Oskar Cieslewicz walking into Indigo.

Here's the back story:

I was coaching at Bishop Reding HS in Milton and we were playing in the All Ontario Catholic tournament in St Catharines. Unbeknownst to me our team was being watched by an interested family who were looking for a place for their three boys to get the best HS basketball experience they could. Our teams were known for playing together, playing great defence, and shooting three point shots at a high rate. A style of play that the family loved.

Peter Cieslewicz emigrated from Poland to New York State and after a few years was able to send for his wife Maria and his three young sons. Konrad, Oskar, and Nick. They decided to settle in the border city of St Catharines. Konrad and Oskar, 11 months apart, were both in grade 8, Nick was in grade 6. Mom  and Dad both played high-level basketball in their native Poland and the family was really into basketball. The three boys were the talk of the town and schools were clamouring all over them to get them. 


Maria and Peter had a bigger vision for their sons. They checked out the Ontario school rankings and saw that there was a tournament in Streetsville  that was hosting many of the top ten teams, including second-ranked Bishop Reding from Milton. They liked how Reding combined tough defence, running, and shooting threes. They liked how they were coached. They decided to follow up by watching Reding at the All Catholic tournament.

The family moved to Milton so that they could play at Bishop Reding when Konrad and Oskar entered grade 9. Both played on the junior team in grade 9 but came up with the seniors for tournaments. Then they both became unreal senior players. Great rebounders and scorers. Peter and Maria loved the small town and watching their sons play. Peter would have a million questions and high praise after games, just loving the intricacies of the games. . Maria was the type of mom who made coaching her kids fun. She cheered for everyone on the team and she just loved the energy and  flow of the games. The boys loved everything about BR, and they blossomed as teammates. Oskar and Konrad read off each other and led to much team success. They knew the game and knew how to play hard. 

Then the journey got a little more poignant. In the spring of 1996 I found out that I was being transferred and decided to get close to home by transferring to Notre Dame in Burlington. At the time I was heartbroken in many ways but I felt especially bad for the family who uprooted their lives to be coached by me. When they found out the news, though, it didn't take long for the family to make another decision; they were going to move to Burlington! How humbling is that?

Tragedy struck the family a month later when Maria was killed in a car accident while visiting Poland. Nick was in the car as well but thankfully survived. When Peter phoned me late that night to tell me what happened in Poland I immediately drove to Milton as I knew he would need all the community support he could get. He told me that he was going to stick to the family decision and would move to Burlington as Maria would have wanted. I can't imagine the strength that whole process took. What an heroic dad. The boys continued to blossom at Notre Dame, Nick earning an OFSAA Silver medal.

 Coaches have the position and potential to impact young people, but  they impact us too. I'm proud to have been a part of their lives. Thankfully Konrad, Oskar, and Nick had basketball to help them through the tragedy but the truth is that their involvement in my life over the years had a huge impact on me and my family. They became cheap labour around the Dooley household, although cheap and food for these three doesn't make sense. Oskar commented the other day that he remembers the day I had to leave school because my son Daniel was born. That's almost 30 years ago.

My involvement with the Cieslewicz family was out of love for the family and empathy for what they went through. Maria was the rock of the family and Peter had to take over, and he did. Maria's memory was probably a driving force behind me making sure that I help her sons grow through basketball . I know Peter was at every game he could get to and I hope the team gave him priceless memories. 

Oskar returned in kind by coming to Indigo and gave me a memory I'll never forget. When I told him that I was amazed that he came, all he said was that I did a lot for their family and when he saw the event on Facebook he just had to come. That's just what you do. Part of my journey interconnected with part of theirs. Do what you can do while you can.  

Attitude is everything as we react to the world and the respect shown by one person can make the day if you let it. All thanks to embracing the journey. Thanks Oskar!


 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 

The OAA needs your help.  If you are an Olympia Sports Camp Alumni we need you to register for the OAA and get those in your circle of Olympia contacts to do the same. The link is at:

 https://forms.gle/woWsggqM7zpUyHge9

OLYMPIA HAS AN APP! 


Olympia has created an App that will allow Alumni to connect with the camp events, read content about some amazing Olympia people, and maybe sign your child or grandchild up for the week of their lives. Simply use this QR code to get to the App and all it offers. It will take you to the Olympia website and so much more!




Why should I buy a book?

- See the 12 steps of the hero's journey come alive

- Learn a lot about yourself by reading about the journey of others.

-Learn about the land of Interlaken, from its indigenous beginnings, to the European migration, to the Norwegians during the second world war, to the launch of Olympia Sports Camp.

- Learn about the Community of Olympia that spans over 50 years.

- Learn that Olympia is a Community of Everyday Heroes

- Learn that you, too, are a hero of your own journey

How can I buy a book

-available for order through Amazon and Indigo.ca

-available at Indigo, Burlington Brant Street location.

- available at The Different Drummer Book Store on Locust Street in Burlington\

- available at Cedar Canoe Books on Main St in Huntsville

- available at the Olympia Tuck and Pro Shop

- Etransfer me $30 and I'll drive it to your house ! 

- available online at aherosjourney.ca

- audiobook version is available at Audible, Amazon, and iTunes 

If you would like us to come to your town for a book event or get copies into your favourite bookstore , email me at coachdools71@gmail.com. We travel well.


 

Comments

  1. Greg RogersAugust 7, 2024 at 8:41 AM

    Attitude is everything! Thanks for your great attitude of support for Olympia Chris!

    ReplyDelete

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