Lessons from the Ruggieros

The following seem quite relevant to some of what I've been saying in my blog lately. I should remark that though I'm a nut, there are things in life I take seriously. Or course, people often take me way too seriously. I guess I have to say this little prayer with Carlos Santana: Oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood.

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.

--BILL RUGGIERO (dad of women's hockey star)

Our team has put so much into this tournament and have postponed our lives to reach a goal: a gold medal. I never imagined that we would not be in that final game, so in a way, this is a new challenge for me and for the rest of the team. We spend the night silent, watching tv and getting some food in our systems. But, like in many situations in life, you must move forward and appreciate what you have. I am thankful to my family, frineds, and all the wonderful support that we have received through this site. I am planning on printing all of the well wishes and pass them onto the rest of the team. It is at times like these, when we have to use the support that we have around us, rally as teammates, and hold our heads up high. We still have a chance to win a medal and make our country proud

---Angela Ruggiero (of USA women's Olympic hockey team)