What brings us all together

And so it begins....
It's my favorite time of year every two years. The Olympics have begin. There is something about them that brings us together as humanity and gives us hope. There are so many stories of hope, courage, determination, struggle, success, and so many other words that are endless. I love the Olympics! I always find myself crying, over stories or triumph, defeat, or just being proud to be an American. I had my first of many cries yesterday afternoon. We went camping this weekend for a ward camp out and did some more b-day celebrating for B with family, so we weren't able to catch any Olympic time until yesterday afternoon and last night. So what caused this first cry?.... A story of a little boy not even competing. They were showing scenes from opening ceremonies the night before. There was a little 9 year old boy walking out with China in the front. Why you might ask? Well that's where the tears come. Months ago when China had their huge earthquake, this little boy was at school. The school crumbled to the ground with him in it, reason enough to cry, sure. But wait there is more. He came out of the rubble and started going back to bring his fellow class mates out of the rubble and save their lives. When he was asked why he did it, he answered that his job for the week was the hall monitor and he was responsible for them! With the world like it is, it makes me worry about the future but when you hear stories like this, it gives you hope that things might just be ok. Another story last night, was from men's beach volleyball. It was Latvia vs. USA. The last time they met, USA CRUSHED them. In a best of three match, USA won in 32 minutes, with the first game ending in the score of 21 to 6. To prepare for this Olympics the Latvia team found the best 6 volleyball players in the country, since there weren't any other beach volleyball players in their country. They practiced for months 8 hours a day 6 on 2. What happened last night, they beat USA in 2 games! Way to go, I think they deserve it. There is nothing like watching the Olympics. I love it! I look forward to watching a lot more, and I have a feeling it will be over before I know it, and I'll be waiting another 2 years for another one to come around. And I side note I think my kids have caught the bug! Woohoo! Stir Fry after we got home from camping we all had lunch and then nap and quiet time. Instead of watching a movie or a cartoon he chose to watch the Olympics. He saw the rowing and said he wanted to do that when he gets big, too bad we live in Utah and not back home in Seattle (maybe someday). And then Baluga after Michael Phelps won his first gold metal and got a new world record, she started chanting go Michael, go Michael, go Michael. I hope that all of you can catch the bug and enjoy it as much as we will.
After posting this I thought of something I wanted to add, so here is my second plug for the Olympics. After the Olympics end something happens that I wish would be broad casted just like the regular Olympics. When all the athletes head home with their metals and memories a whole new group of athletes arrive to start the Paralympics (don't confuse this with the Special Olympics which is great too). The Paralympics are amazing!!!! Getting a degree in Recreation and taking an accessible recreation class I learned about this. I wish this would get TV time. With as amazing as the regular Olympic are, these are multiplied. You have athletes with lots of different disabilities with extraordinary abilities competing for their country. The hubby and I were lucky enough to get tickets to the Men's Sledge Hockey Gold Metal game when the winter Olympics were in SLC in 2002. We lucked out that USA happen to be competing for the Gold in this game, since when you had to buy tickets you had no idea who would make it that far. It was inspiring and amazing. We showed up early and had the perfects seats, up close and by the USA. These were men who were paralyzed or had leg amputations sliding around with aggression and passion playing their hearts out. I can't say it enough it was AMAZING! The USA ended up winning which made it that much better. It was one of the best experiences in my life. I love it. I wish more people know about this and the unsung heroes that win real metals just like the ones who get TV time. I love the stories I love determination I love everything about it!