The World of Cross Stitching 67Reader Story
http://www.gathered.how/woxs“I have no excuses if he
can do it at his age of
almost 90 years old.”
Games in Cranbrook, BC. Tracey tells
us: “This was an incredibly special
time together. My dad hadn’t seen
me swim since I was a little girl of 11
years old and I had never seen my
dad practise or participate in any of
his events either as he always said
he didn’t like people watching him. I
understand that now after competing
in the Games myself!”
Tracey swam within the 55-59
age category and her dad participated
in track and field within the 85-89
age group. Tracey won gold in the
25-metre breaststroke and 100-metre
breaststroke, silver in 4x25-metre
medley relay and 4x25-metre freestyle
relay, plus silver in the 50-metre
breaststroke and 100-metre freestyle.
Ronald also won gold and silver
medals across various events including
hammer throw, weight throw, discus
and long jump! Tracey was ecstatic
- she had finally won the medals she
had dreamed about as a child.
Last September, Tracey and her
dad competed in the 2019 Games in
Kelowna, BC and they both achieved
well with Tracey winning five medals.
They are now looking forward to the
2020 Games and they’re waiting with
anticipation to find out if they’ve been
chosen to participate in the 2020
Canada 55+ Games in August.
STITCHING FOR GOLD
After Tracey had participated in her
first 55+ BC Games, she wrote to
The World of Cross Stitching to ask
if Jenny Barton could design her
a female swimmer in a royal blue
costume (the Games colour) as part of
the ‘Wishes Granted’ feature. There
was a year’s waiting list, but Tracey’s
wish finally came true and her design
was featured in issue 286 (November
2019). “It was so worth the wait!”
Tracey exclaims. “I was so excited –
the pattern is perfect.” Tracey has now
stitched the design and it is framed
and hangs on the wall with her 55+
BC Games photos and medals. She
enthuses, “I’m sure it will bring me
plenty of ‘strokes of luck’ as I prepare
for the 2020 55+ BC Games.”
Tracey’s dad has been a big
supporter over the years. She says:
“He believes in me with my swimming
and cross stitch when sometimes I
don’t believe in myself. I showed my
dad issue 257 as I was featured in the
Reader Panel. He was so proud.
Looking through the mag, he came
across the ‘Ice Cream Cards’ and said
he wanted one, so I stitched andframed one for him. On a hot
summer’s day I went to my dad’s
house to give him his picture,
bringing ice cream to go with it! We
celebrated and enjoyed a sundae while
he admired his yummy picture!”
Training for the Games has often
been challenging but Tracey remains
philosophical: “Every race is an
opportunity to measure yourself
against your own potential. Swimming
and cross stitching have pulled my life
together. Stitching and swimming are
my life, love and passion.”Blackwork Beauty: This design
from WOXS issue 231 (Aug 2015) was
Tracey’s most challenging finish but
her dad calls it a masterpiece (above).Meaningful stitches: Tracey
taught her granddaughter to
stitch (left). Tracey made a
special ice cream design for
her dad (right & below).