I heart the Olympics

1984. I was 4 years old. The Olympics were hosted by the great U S of A. My only memory involves me begging my mom to buy Wheaties. I'm pretty sure it's the only time in my life that I've ever even had the desire to eat Wheaties. But, this was a special box of Wheaties. They tasted better I'm sure. They had Mary Lou Retton on the box, and it was the only acceptable breakfast for me. As the story goes, my parents were going to put me in gymnastics...but, well, I wasn't exactly built for gymnastics. I was a huge child. I tell people that and they don't really buy it, but that's because I don't share pictures of that chapter in my life. I was probably bigger than most gymnasts at the age of 4. But, back to the original point....I adore watching the Olympics. I've stayed up way too late most nights of the past week. I feel like I know Michael Phelps for crying out loud. I got all teary when our 2 gymnasts won the gold and silver Thursday night/Friday morning (depending on where you were watching). I realize my view is probably pretty naive,  but it seems so pure...people that have trained and worked and sweated and cried to train their bodies to participate. It's not like professional sports as we know them....it's not about ego, it's about doing your best to represent your country and push your body to show off what God gifted them to do (and I realize most of them don't acknowledge it's God-given ability, but I'm acknowledging for them). It's incredible. Man, I'm always so inspired. I could could swim, I could run, I could jump on a trampoline for crying out loud. And, apparently a baby and over-25-year-old body don't disqualify you. Watch out 2016 Olympics...here I come.

I just have to figure out what sport I'm good at.

One thing that has really stood out to me as I've watched, though, is what these games mean to other countries. I was blown away when I watched the opening ceremony. Country after country paraded in. One country has an average yearly income of $130. That's it. We probably spent more than that on the shoes our athletes wore at the ceremony. Some countries only brought 3 or 4 athletes. Can you imagine? Being one of the 3 or 4 chosen to represent your country? Our athletes invest countless hours, dollars, and energy into the games, but at the end of the day, without them, their life is still okay. But it's a big fat hairy deal to the other countries. For some, it's all they've got. They may be the only people from their country to leave their country this year. Inconceivable.

My favorite story of the evening, though, is that of Oksana Chusovitina. Don't ask me to pronounce her name, but you have to hear her story. She's the 33-year-old gymnast from Germany. She didn't start out in Germany, though. This is actually her 5th Olympic Games. She was originally a gymnast for the former Soviet Union, and then one of the Soviet States. However, her son developed leukemia. She couldn't get treatment in the country she was living, so she called in a favor with a friend in Germany. Would Germany help get her son treatment? Well, yes, in exchange for participation in the Olympic games. She agreed, the son received treatment, and is currently in remission. And, on top of that, she medaled tonight. Amazing. This is what the games are all about. Camaraderie. Competition. Hard work. Blood. Sweat. Tears. God-given talent on display in phenomenal ways. Ah, in my heart, I'm an Olympian. I guess I'll live vicariously through these athletes for the next few days. 

That is all for now...my gymnasts are getting ready to come back on.