If we are friends on Facebook then you know that I have had the fever. I absolutely love the Olympics and this year has been extra special since we were just in London. There is great fun is screaming "We were there" at the television as scenes of London are shown. Ashlyn took us out to the Olympic park area to show us the stadium. There was a new mall across the way and we got to see the stadium, pool and that crazy sculpture that really has nothing to do with these games. Ashlyn feels particularly attached to these games because London was home for four months and she celebrates the success of these games with her adopted town!
It is no secret that I am just an average gal. There was never going to be an Olympic gold in my future. I didn't have any amazing talent. I certainly never had the drive. I am a fan. And I am a pretty good one at that.
When we lived in Germany, we were able to watch a lot of the 1996 Olympics on SKY TV. It was such a different perspective to watch an American Olympics being broadcast by the British. It was the first time that we saw any of the horse events or rowing. And all told with those brilliant accents and catch phrases, like brilliant. This was the first Olympics that Ashlyn and Hayley would watch. We cheered as a family.
I cannot imagine what it takes to get to the Olympics. Bob Costas and friends try to show us some of what a family must give up to help their kid reach this point, but there is no way to grasp that financial and emotional commitment that everyone makes. Danny and I were not prepared for this kind of commitment when Ashlyn and Hayley had dreams of being the first golds in pairs gymnastics. One can still feel the bitterness in the room when the subject is brought up.
This year, I am repeatedly struck by the humility of the athletes. And the joy. I have lost count the number of times that I have welled up. From the opening ceremonies to Phelps last race, it has been a bit of a ride!
The United States should be very proud of her showing this year. I love that the dream team basketball players walked in the opening ceremony. My opinion of pro basketball players has certainly changes since watching them soak up the moments! I am so freakin proud of our athletes. I just cannot get over them. How will I wait for two more and four more years?
I love that the Royals are sitting in the stands, cheering, hugging and being a part of the event. I love that Sir Paul led the stadium in a round of "All you need is love" shortly after Jessica Ennis won the gold for the heptathlon. I love that the floor sweepers at the volleyball games appear to be choreographed! I love that The Spice Girls came together to Spice Up My Life! Well done London!
You should all be very proud of the Games you put on.
But what is to become of me? What is to become of my Union Jack that flew for two weeks beneath the Stars and Stripes? What shall I watch and how shall I cheer? When will I know that Bob has said something stupid? Pro football has started, that helps. And I suppose I could actually do some of my to do list. But somehow my days seem emptier without rowing and swimming and volleyball and water polo and judo and table tennis and gymnastics and men's gymnastics and diving and discus and 100m and 200m and race walking and heptathlon and archery and handball and trampolining and dressage and skulling and steeplechase and every other event I managed to watch.
So I must wait two long years for Sochi and four much longer years for Rio...will that be enough for me to get over my loathing for Bob Costas?
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