Just Play

It's been 16 days now, and I just finished watching the Olympic Closing Ceremonies. There's a reason why I waited until after it was all over to post on the topic of the Olympics. But we'll get to that in just a minute.

First, I need to explain a little bit. One of the reasons I started this blog is because DH always says, "You look at the world a little bit different from the rest of people. There's a perspective you have that I don't think the majority of the world shares". Now, I told you that for a reason, too; it does relate to the Olympics. I was thinking while I was watching the Ceremony, and some of the clips they were showing as the program ended.

When it comes down to it, the old cliche of "Just do it" kinda applies. These men and women (and sometimes boys and girls) practice their entire lives. They work, they train, they get their routines and times and positions and bodies into as perfect shape as they can. When it comes down to it, though, and that starting pistol fires, all that doesn't really matter. They just swim. Or just run. Or just jump. Or just do about a hundred other activities that can either bring complete joy or utter disappointment. All that training, all that practice, it all comes down to just a few moments of competition and performance that will last a lifetime.

Just think - fifty years from now, Michael Phelps may have a grandchild sitting on his knee with one of his gold medals in his hands, paying rapt attention to his grandad as he explains the exhilaration of touching the wall and winning his 8th gold medal for the 2008 Olympics. The rest of the world may have moved on, may have forgotten about his achievements, but they'll live on in Phelp's heart and through his family.

I think the stories of strength - the stories of those that didn't win, maybe didn't even place, but competed anyway and didn't give up - are the stories that I will hold in my heart. The South African woman who lost her leg in a car accident but still competed in the open-water swimming competition. The Russian mother who won the marathon. The unbelievable Chinese athletes who did their country proud in the competitions, and the army of Chinese volunteers who made Beijing a welcoming, comfortable place for the world to call "home" for 16 days.

Thanks, Olympics. You show us that everyone has a chance for glory, and that the world can come together in peace. The world could learn a lot from the sportsmanship and good will displayed by its athletes.