Hey Reader,

Watching the Milan-Cortina Olympics, I always looked for our favorite hockey player - #37 on the USA Women’s team.

After watching the United States defeat Canada for the Olympic Gold Medal in Milan - what a thrilling game! - we kept the broadcast on to enjoy all of the celebrating. With all of the hugging, smiles and tears and the camera whipping around, it was hard to find #37, she is isn’t the tallest.

Then, all of a sudden, the camera turned to a USA player talking very directly to the Canadian captain, Marie-Philip Poulin, in the handshake line. It was a great moment.

As USA #37, Abbey Murphy, looked up to Poulin while shaking her hand and speaking very calmly and seriously, Poulin looked down at Murphy quietly nodding with an appreciative look on her face only because she could not have been expected to smile after losing to the US in overtime.

When I commented at how respectful Abbey was of the woman called Captain Clutch - winner of three gold medals and arguably the best woman’s hockey player of any country to ever play the game - my friend, and Abbey’s neighbor, Ann replied in the group chat, “Raised right on the South Side.”

I’d have to agree.

While I wasn’t raised on the South Side of Chicago, I was raised with the South Side. My Dad is originally from 35th & Union. Later, he lived at 63rd & Kostner and attended Saint Nicholas of Tolentine school on the other side of Pulaski Road.

I never realized how much of the South Side my Dad instilled in me until our two boys attended high school at Saint Rita of Cascia. The same high school my Dad attended in the early 1940’s.

My Dad never graduated from Saint Rita. He left a few months before graduation and the day before his 18th birthday. He enlisted in the Navy the day before the Army would have drafted him in WWII. First stop was Great Lakes Naval Training Station and then he shipped off to the Philippines.

At Saint Rita orientation, we met Saint Rita President Father Tom McCarthy. I explained that my Dad attended Saint Rita, but did not graduate as he left for the war. Father Tom smiled as he put his hand on my shoulder, thanked me and told me that Saint Rita has records six feet high of all of the men that left Rita and joined the service during all of the wars since Rita opened in 1905.

When JT got home from school one day, he said, “Dad, we had a really special Mass today.” He went on to tell me that a family brought their 92 year old Dad to school to receive his Diploma during Mass. The man’s family wheeled him up to the front of the church surrounded by family, Augustinians and administrators while all 500 of the boys gave their fellow Ritaman a standing ovation followed by chants of USA! USA!

I told JT, “That was Grandpa.”

When you listen to my podcast, you’ll hear me say in the opening, “I don’t work for the insurance company and am beholden to no one.”

I work for you.

And like everyone on the South Side, including USA #37 and my Dad, I’m respectful, honest, fair and loyal. I’ll call a spade a spade and will never sell you a bum steer. I’m not afraid to get dirty and will always have your back.

I’ll show you how to get the most from your Health Savings Account and health insurance. I do my best work for all who are new to receiving insurance benefits at work. I’ll take care of you just like I take care of my own kids who are in the same boat.

Please share with your family, friends and neighbors, too.

I always love hearing from you. Send me a note at scottwdowling@scottwdowling.com and tell me what your favorite Olympic highlight was.

Cheers!

Scott W. Dowling

P.S. Watch a few Abbey Murphy highlights: 3 assists vs. Canada and the move that is now known as “The Abbey Murphy”.