Flame of Hope

I just returned home from my 55th appearance since being crowned on March 28, 2015.  I can say that this has been the most awe inspiring and emotional experience so far.  I have reconfirmed to myself that I am doing what God has intended for me.

I was honored to be a part of the Special Olympics Unified Relay for The Flame of Hope that is traveling from Greece to the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics games this summer in Los Angeles.  I was sponsored today by a wonderful friend and small business owner, Neelma Patel of The Cakebox by Neelma!  I took part in the relay on the Munich Re Insurance team (my husband's company) for Segment 32 of the Northern Route for the flame. We were also joined by two Special Olympics athletes, one who is competing at the state level and one who is going on to world games!

Our relay started by being briefed by the SO staff.  Then we were met by a special torch team who set up our team torch and explained our duty.  We were informed that the flame we would be carrying was lit according to ancient Olympic procedures.  In Greece, a parabolic mirror was used to bounce sunlight into olive branches to produce the Olympic flame.  The flame was then transferred to a torch and ultimately to a miners lamp to get transported to the United States via UPS.  The flame was then split 3 ways to make its way to every continental state.  They all will come back together to light the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles.

Our 2 athletes had the honor of doing the torch "kiss" where we met the previous relay team.  Up next was my turn to hold the flame.  This is going to sound super cheesy but when I took the flame and proudly held it up into the air I felt like time stood still.  I was lucky enough to be running down State Street right in front of the capitol building.  I felt the encouragement of my team and athletes behind me, people stopped in their tracks to cheer and clap, others hung out of nearby building windows while taking pictures.  We also had law enforcement in front of, behind, and beside of us during our segment.  As I ran I could feel the heat of the flame and I had a slew of emotions wash over me.  I did my best pageant girl wave and I knew that at that moment I was doing what God had chosen for me.  I was one very small part in bringing the flame from Greece to the Los Angeles to start the Special Olympic games and there is no other place I would have rather been at that exact point in time.

If you were touched by my story there is always a chance to volunteer.  The state games are coming to NJ June 12, 13, and 14.  The world games are in Los Angeles the last week of July.  For more information on the torch run please visit www.unifiedrelay.org.  For more information on Special Olympic events near you please visit www.specialolympics.org.

Live What You Love,
Amber Mack
Mrs. New Jersey International 2015