The energy level in McCoy’s dropped from sky-high to lower than the floor in just 7 minutes. When the USA hockey team scored the second goal, which tied the game, in the last seconds of the gold medal round, the Westport public house erupted into cheering, clapping, high-fives between complete strangers, and ordering of another round. We had not even had time to finish that round, though, before Canada scored in the sudden death overtime. Our faces reflected those of our home team: deflated, disappointed. Total buzz kill. Half of the customers gathered their jackets immediately and shuffled out.

The team has been criticized by some for their disappointed demeanor immediately following the game. They had just won the silver medal, after all. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, true enough.
Their initial reaction, though, reflects how much of their entire heart, soul, and body they had poured into this effort. They had extended themselves beyond their limits reaching for first place, for that coveted gold medal. If they had been anything less than crushed at the very end, I would have questioned whether they had really given it their all. Disappointment is nothing about which to be ashamed. There is something amazing and beautiful in someone who invests so much into their game.

There is also something beautiful about then taking a step back and surveying the achievement. Team USA played an amazing game against the best hockey team in the world. They were so persistent and determined that they earned half their points in the last minute of a 60-minute game. Their grace, power, speed, and agility on the ice mesmerized even fans who had never before watched a hockey game as basketball was relegated to the small screens in the back of the bar for an afternoon. Two weeks ago, nobody believed USA could win the hockey gold, but they came closer than anyone thought possible. I hope the players can look back with pride and satisfaction.

It is a sweet gift when life offers us an opportunity to reach for a goal that seems out of reach, beyond our current limits. Our gift back to life is to extend ourselves, ignore our presumed limits long enough to believe it might just be possible. Grasping the goal is amazing, true, and missing it, if we have poured our whole hearts into the effort, will hurt immeasurably. But even if we miss, we will surely, with time, be able to step back and discover that we have traveled further, lived fuller, and played stronger than had we never set our sights on the unattainable.

Your fans are ready to order another round. Don’t let them down.