I am an Olympics Games junkie. I LOVE them! I watch the opening ceremonies and weep, I watch the closing ceremonies and weep. I feel such excitement for all the athletes as the parade of nations begins. I hold out hope some athlete from some tiny nation will win a medal. These games mean so much to so many, to those that have trained the best they can given their limited means (I'm not speaking of the US and other such HUGE nations, I speak of those smaller, less wealthy nations). How thrilling for them just to be there!
I look at the mass of humanity all gathered on the field and see so many nations, nationalities, faces, coming together for a common cause and it humbles me. I'm not downing the US, but I really don't get caught up it the medal count and honestly don't care how many medals "we" win versus "them". What brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat is seeing all these peoples from such disparate lands and backgrounds, standing together in peace and harmony. These people are not representative of their governments, and truly have nothing to do with their governments' policies and politics. So many work so hard to compete and to prove their worth and it has NOTHING to do with the political machinations of their governments. These people instead join together to represent the HUMAN RACE. We are truly one people and it is such a beautiful and glorious thing. Everyone there is high on excitement and joy, hyped up for their moment to show the world what they're made of.
I understand national pride and the longing to be seen as the best, yet, I wonder what it would be like if I were watching the Olympics as a member of an impoverished nation instead of this beautiful wealthy county I call home. Is there a correlation between a country's success and it's wealth as a nation? I believe there may be. I know this is fairly cynical, yet I can't help myself. After working in the inner-city for so many years, I begin to see poverty in a new light.
Additionally, I get very upset with the medal counting. I think many see anything less than gold as nothing more than trash. How could our country only get a sliver/bronze in that event??? Hello, you medalled at the OLYMPICS!! That's pretty freaking awesome! I get perturbed when I see poor sportsmanship and disgusted looks on the faces of those that came in second or third. Rejoice, folks, you are at the OLYMPICS!! Even if you don't win, you are among the elite in your sport and that is something to celebrate.
My favorite moments are those unexpected moments of kindness, of celebrating the person/people who beat you in your event, of being happy for those that do better than you. You know me and my Pollyanna outlook on life, why can't we all just get along. LOL!
The opening ceremonies were indescribably wonderful and Hannah would have LOVED LOVED LOVED them. There was so much pageantry and majesty, such beautiful costumes and synchronization and oh, the fireworks and dancing. Hannah would have been awed and inspired, dancing around the living room as the music played. I glanced at Lily at one point, and there she was, as "graceful" as her sister, dancing and twirling with the music. I once again cried on the spot. It was so perfect, and yet, so very painful all at once, as truly perfect moments can be.
I longed to have Han here with me to sit in my lap or cuddled at my side as the ceremonies wound down. I would look at her sweet face and see the dazzling feats and costumes reflected in the awe and delight on her face. I would point out the different countries and talk about where each was located. We would have had such fun... Alas, Han was instead dancing with all the beautiful ladies and performing Tai Chi with the crowds there where we couldn't see her. Oh do I miss that Monkey, more and more every day. You know the saying "I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow"? The same holds true here--I miss Hannah more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow. How how how can she be gone?? When we watched the opening ceremonies in 2004 I told her she would be almost seven before we had a chance to watch them again. We missed our chance. :sigh:
And, yet, in spite of this heaviness of heart, I know the games will be on and I'll be watching. For me, for the most part, it doesn't really matter what is on, I'm most likely going to watch it, and maybe learn something about a sport I knew nothing of before (curling comes to mind here). Nations are united and a beautiful, diverse pool of humanity has come together to represent their country, compete, and celebrate. What could be better than that? :o)
*********************************
Today's Sparklies:
1. The opening ceremonies. WOW!
2. The dogs got haircuts (I was a bit busy yesterday!) and they look so sweet. :o)
3. Dinner at Pierce's with Nana and Pop. Holy cow do they have incredible BBQ!
4. Waller Mill park. Ahhh! Lil had such a wonderful time this evening. :o)
5. The papillon that was parked in the car next to ours. His name was Gent and he was quite the sweetie. Lil knew he was just like Jewel from "Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy" and was quite entranced.
6. My Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalog arrived from Woli today. I'm SOOOO in love with oh, I don't know, about half the book. I'm not kidding, the stuff is just fabulous. Oh, and I'm considering becoming an SU! demonstrator.
**************************************
Well, it's 12:37 according to the desktop clock and I know Lily will be up at the CRACK of dawn. Yuck. So, I'm off to find my nice, comfortable bed. :o)
9 comments:
Hi there, Rachel!
I love your blog! And because you inspire me, I am passing an award along to you! Find about it here on my blog.
Hugs,
Candice
Glad you got your catalog and you know I feel your joy/pain (joy for you, pain for the wallet!).
I used to love watching the olympics when I was little. Like all little girls, I desperately wanted to be a gymnast. I think I stopped watching them when i realized it wasn't going to happen LOL! I'm sure Hannah would have loved wacthing all the spectacle and sparkle with you *hugs*
I'm a pollyanna weeper, too, so my reactions to the spectacle last night were nearly the same. I say nearly because I was fortunate to have both kids sitting with me (Johnny entranced, Sophie playing games by herself and making a lot of noise, as usual, but sometimes taking in the glory of it all). Sophie conked out around 10, but Johnny and I watched every single minute of it.
I insisted we buy the new tv a few weeks ago on credit instead of waiting until my paychecks resume in Sept. because I could NOT, would NOT, watch the Olympics on a 15" screen. Our 10 yo old fashioned tv broke about six months ago and we'd been using a castoff from the Salvation Army ever since. Teeny tiny little Spongebob was mostly fine. But damn it, I got tenure this year, and will eventually get a raise (we're not paid in the summer here) and for once I said we're going to go for it. So we went to Target and got one of those big 37" flatscreens and a new cabinet to put it on. Pure joy, watching stuff in HD. Last night made it worth every penny!
I forgot zucchinis at the greenmarket. I see your post, and it reminds me... but I did get chard, the bright lights kind with all the colors, and a whole bunch of radicchio, red and yellow potatoes (because I couldn't make up my mind which would be best in soup), tiny heirloom tomatoes, local apples and peaches, a loaf of 7 grain sourdough, leeks, fresh garlic, and a big chunk of a semi-hard local goat cheese called Cabra la Mancha. I love it.
You and I, yeah, possibly separated at birth. Sometimes the stuff you post just hits right at home here. Everything you said about the Olympics -- ditto. The farmer's market -- ditto. Finding beauty and joy in the small stuff -- ditto.
I'm still not officially blogging, but I figured out yesterday how incredibly freakin' easy it is to post pictures to blogger (Duh! there's an icon that's a picture and it leads you right through it... umm, yeah, so maybe we're not so separated at birth, it took me this long to figure that out!) so I put up some vacation pics so you and anyone else who cares to look can check out the family on vacation -- www.lisamama.blogger.com
We bought a bunch of colorful fish for the aquarium yesterday. Cooked a stir fry, had almond cookies, green tea and green tea ice cream (probably more japanese than chinese, but oh well... it'll do). The kids tried chopsticks for the first time. It was a celebration.
I really wish Hannah was with you, too. I can feel through the distance how much you miss her, and literally can only imagine how tough it must be. I so admire (as I've posted dozens of times, I'm sure) how you manage to experience the pain of her loss, and yet keep her alive for yourself and your family by celebrating life the way she would have. I think that's her continuing gift to you, and your continuing gift to her, too. And your gift to the rest of us as well.
Hugs!
Oh, Rach, the opening ceremonies were AMAZING!
Oh wow! Another Olympics fan. I'll watch just about any sport when it's done at the Olympic level. There are so many great stories of inspiration that come out of the Olympics. Read some of Bud Greenspan's stories and it will affirm your belief in the goodness of mankind.
A girl from my town is on the women's swimming team and will compete in the 100m and 200m backstroke as well as a relay medley. She set a world record when she qualified for the 200m team, and she's favored to win the gold. She and my younger son played soccer together when they were five years old. Maybe just maybe I'll be able to say I know an Olympic gold medalist. But regardless, I'll be able to say I know a wonderful young woman who has a strong work ethic and represented her country with grace and good sportsmanship.
And yeah, weren't those opening ceremonies awesome???
Marilyn
I think you should plan a trip to Vancouver for the winter 2010 Olympics. You can crash here for sure! We are walking distance to the figure skating rink/speed skating arena.....
I was crying right along with you at the opening ceremonies. I think I cried the hardest when China came in and they were talking about the little boy who was helping to carry the flag -- the one who saved two of his classmates after the earthquake because he was "room leader and it was his job." Oh, how I sobbed!
But yes, the medal counts are ridiculous and distracting. I like it so much better when they focus on the stories of the athletes.
Your farmers market pics always make me wish for a good, big market near me. Oh, and the ability too cook. ;)
I totally agree with you about all the Olympic stuff. I was in awe during the opening ceremonies and it was beautiful to see so many nations come together in harmony and happiness. I enjoy watching it all, for the same reasons you mentioned. I hope you enjoy them over the next few weeks!
Angela
Even though I have been claiming that I'm not an olympic fan, I can't seem to get enough of them this year. I was folding clothes when the opening ceremony was on and often found myself sitting on the edge of my bed in awe of what was happening! As for the events I have really been enjoying them and it's given me and Eric (husband) something to talk about beside everyday stuff. So I guess I'm a Olympic watcher. Who knew? ~j
Post a Comment