Now That's More Like It

So the question was posed once more, as it almost inevitably is, whenever Lesley Hawker puts a wrap on her skating duties at the Canadian championships.
What's next in the future for you?
Mrs. Doherty, who is neither shy nor retiring, didn't hesitate.
"Triple Axel and a triple-triple (combination) is probably in my mind," said Hawker, who made it clear she'll continue her quest to keep on being like that proverbial bottle of wine, getting finer with age.
Oh yes, age. What's that thing they say about it? That it's all relative.
This, you see, is one of those classic late bloomers. And while so many folks see the 26 by her name and want to break out the rocking chair for her, Hawker would rather throw on a pair of skates and find new ways to launch herself into the air.
Doesn't exactly sound like a golden oldie to you, does it?
Hawker came to Vancouver with the biggest of dreams and goals at these Canadian figure skating championships. This was the year, she figured, that she could make a run for the top of the podium. Especially after she came oh so close to landing herself on Canada's world team a year ago in Halifax (where the legend of Mrs. Doherty, you might recall, first sprang to life along with the blog. Coincidence? I think not).
Anyways, Hawker pretty much put herself out of the running for the big prize with one critical mistake (a triple flip that was doubled) in the short program. She seemed in decent spirits afterwards but if you know anything about this spunky young (yes, I said it) lady, you know this had to hurt big-time inside.
"Sometimes, I try way too hard because I really like what I do," Hawker admitted Sunday.
And see, that's the thing right there. Most people involved in this sport have a true passion for it. But you won't meet many who outwardly express such a love for skating as much as Mrs. D.
So there she was Sunday morning — her spirits no doubt pumped up by Jamie Doherty, her (not anywhere-near-mad) scientist husband — laying down one of those special free skates (the second-best on the day) that had 'em on their feet at Pacific Coliseum. And Mrs. Doherty gushing a river of tears that just made her all the more endearing (if that's possible) to this crowd.
Sweet vindication? You betcha.
"I just went out there today and said 'you know what, this crowd's great, I really like doing this, and I'm just going to enjoy myself,' ” she said.
Those tears? Oh, they were very good ones.
"I don't know why I'm crying," Mrs. D, who wound up fourth — and, most importantly, back on the national team — said afterward. "It's stressful, this skating thing."
But Hawker wouldn't give it up for the world. She's already indicated she wants to stay around through the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, chasing the biggest dream of them all. Even if lots of other folks think she shouldn't be so forward thinking.
"Seeing as I'm so ancient, everybody, I take it one day at a time because I'm practically in the geriatric ward," Hawker said playfully in front of a group of reporters (and how could the blog, which lives for this kind of stuff, pass on posting a line like that).
"I train with Todd Eldredge (in suburban Detroit), who didn't land his first quad until he was 30. Elvis (Stojko) was 30-plus and contending at world championships, so I really don't think age is an issue at all."
And yes, she's very aware of the story authored Saturday by 26-year-old Anabelle Langlois of Gatineau, Que., who finally won her first Canadian senior pairs title after so many years of trying.
Funny, too, that Hawker got just about as many hugs as Langlois from people who were just genuinely happy for the little lady from Barrie, Ont. All of them knowing how much it meant to Hawker to leave this place with a big smile on her face.
And while we all love seeing young stars such as Patrick Chan, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir grab the torch for Canadian skating and run with it, shouldn't there be room, too, for people like Langlois and Hawker, both still very much young at heart?
Maybe it's just me, but I find their stories make figure skating more compelling, and you can't help wanting to cheer for them both. You might even say that, for some of us, it's one more reason to watch.
Leave it to Mrs. D, though, to come up with another one.
A couple of nights ago, I'm standing there while she's talking to a TV producer who used to work on hockey but was now part of the figure skating crew. And quite liking it.
Hawker — and her quick wit — couldn't resist this gem.
"Well, we do smell better," she said (oh sure, bring the olfactory senses — now there's a good science word — into it).
Hey, whatever works for you.