Shark Week Ultimate Fan: A Major Award

Shark Week snuck up on us this year. The celebration was scheduled (by the Discovery Channel) much earlier than usual, but we still managed to have a great time paying homage to sharks and learning more about them.

Don’t know about Shark Week? Here’s a brief explanation from AI.

Shark Week, an annual television event hosted by the Discovery Channel, first aired in 1988 and has since become a cultural phenomenon. Originally conceived to educate the public about sharks and dispel misconceptions surrounding these apex predators, Shark Week has evolved into a highly anticipated week-long series of documentaries, films, and specials that explore various aspects of shark behavior, conservation efforts, and scientific research. Its purpose remains rooted in promoting awareness and appreciation for sharks while highlighting their critical role in marine ecosystems. Over the years, Shark Week has garnered a global audience and continues to captivate viewers with its thrilling and informative programming.¹

Several years ago, I promised myself I would not let Shark Week pass by without celebrating. I was stuck in a job I hated and would have given anything to stay home at that time and watch the programming instead of going to work. So, Shark Week celebrates (with tremendous gratitude) the freedom I now enjoy. When Jameson was born, I decided to make it a family affair; now, it is a hard and fast tradition. The kids are all in, too. Jameson woke Sierra on a Sunday morning to tell her, “Happy Shark Week!”

This year brought a bonus surprise. The day before Shark Week began, I received a phone call. We were going to the County Fair with the kids, and I answered it on speaker. My friend Stephanie was calling to see if I was home. She was delivering a special prize to me for winning the title of “Shark Week Ultimate Fan!” Since I wasn’t home, she left it on the porch to retrieve when we got home. To say the kids were thrilled was an understatement! “Granny won a major award!” (A Christmas Story reference.) They couldn’t wait to get back to open the package.

Inside was a beautiful, homemade quilt Stephanie made for me. The patchwork on the front features images of sharks and other patterns in matching blue and turquoise. The fabric on the backside is dark blue with a subtle pattern that resembles the deep ocean and features stitching in the shape of sharks. It truly is magnificent. The kids were thrilled, and I was honored. Stephanie is one of my favorite childhood friends, and this generous act rekindled a flood of beautiful memories.

This quilt is not the first Shark Week gift we’ve received. One of the best parts of our Shark Week history is the participation of friends and family. I constantly receive texts or messages with Shark Week ideas. We’ve also received many gifts over the years, from homemade shark tails to cookies, painted rocks and even cookies and cupcakes. The generosity and enthusiasm are endless.

The kids told me this was “the best Shark Week” ever, and I think they’re right. It keeps getting better and better.

1. OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (3.5) Large language model. https://chatgpt.com ↩