[2022-01-06] Get the W
I was feeling tired after the early start to my day (I needed to be at the cancer centre by 7:15 AM for today's radiation), so I retreated to my bed when I got back home.
While snuggled under the covers, I came across a heartwarming story about a young Canadian boy who likes to give motivational speeches.
Seven-year-old Callan Perks gave a motivational speech to the players of the Peterborough Petes, a junior team in the Ontario Hockey League. In the video—taken in the Petes' locker room before a game with the Ottawa 67s—he tells the players:
Legends are made everyday, and you could be one of the greats. You are the chosen one. You are the years in the making.... We won't let those 67s get a win in our barn. So we're going to do whatever it takes to get the W.
Callan's speech got the attention of Ellen DeGeneres. Appearing on DeGeneres' talk show, Callan says that he wanted to win the competition to give a speech to "those boys." When asked by Ellen whether he's always been this positive and optimistic, Callan responds:
Yeah, I always, like, want to think positive. So, like, even if, like, you're having a bad day, like, just go out there and get the W no matter what.
(He is as adorable as he sounds.) Callan admits his fondness for the expression "Get the W" (W = win), including it in almost all his speeches.
I loved the ring of it too, especially on a day when I'm feeling tired and as I contemplate the prospect of dealing with the side effects of radiation over the next seven weeks or so (both during and after treatment).
Watching young Callan, I'm reminded of the expression "out of the mouths of babes." If a seven-year-old boy can be optimistic and encourage others to go for the W, so can I.
