Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le

Back in 2008 I got up at some ridiculous morning hour -- like 2AM or something -- to watch the much anticipated Federer vs. Nadal Wimbledon final. On September 11, 2001, as I made my way into work thinking the day would be significant because of the birth of a nephew, I watched horrific events unfold on the television screen. I remember as an eighth grader in 1986 helping assemble a bulletin board in the hallway of my junior high school just before watching the Challenger liftoff and soon after explode in mid air.

So it was really no surprise that on October 12, just around midnight local time, I sat glued to the television screen and watched as the first of the Chilean trapped miners emerged from the escape tunnel in the Phenix rescue chamber. And I stuck around to see the second, third and fourth miners ascend to safety as well. When I woke up the next morning, miner #11 was on his was up. I saw the final miner emerge, followed by the rescue workers, and cried.

The world watched as families of the trapped miners put their lives on hold and waited for this day, this moment of victory and answered prayers. I cannot imagine doing anything differently should I have the misfortune to be in their shoes. I don't know a single one of them, or their families, nor could I tell you the name of the Chilean president who was on hand to greet each miner as he stepped out of the rescue chamber. But if I close my eyes I can instantly recall the look on the face of the first miner's child. I can hear the cries of thanksgiving from the crowd and the sound of the alarm alerting doctors that the miner was moments away from the top of the shaft. I rejoiced with them -- albeit from afar -- for the sparing of lives, the second chances.

I waved an imaginary Chilean flag many times that day and chanted Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le with the natives...and I'd stay up late to watch it all over again.