Olympic Dreams

The TV at our house has pretty much been on constantly since the Olympics began. I enjoy seeing the world come together just for fun – I wish it could happen outside of sports. The games are addicting to watch, even if what’s on isn’t my favorite sport. My favorites include volleyball and gymnastics. As I sit and watch the American women try to fulfill their dreams, I am reminded of dreams of young girls all across the world, even to a little town, that no one's ever heard of, called Jordan. 

Every four years my sisters and I would watch the Olympic gymnastics and then go outside and try to emulate them. We were not successful. In the ‘80’s we watched Mary Lou Retton and she was the one we wanted to be like. We set up a 2x4 in the yard and pretended it to be our balance beam. We would perform all our tricks and then score each other to see who would get the gold medal. Well, you know the old saying, “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt!”

One time in particular stands out in my mind. While doing the balance beam routine one of us, who will remain nameless, fell off the balance beam. While this gymnast may have felt like a winner, the sprained ankle was the definite loser, growing to the size of an orange as the result of the fall. Keep in mind, the 2x4 was flat on the ground so there wasn’t far to fall. How one can accomplish that feat deserves a gold medal in spite of performance!

While I don’t remember badminton being an Olympic sport when I was a child, it is now. Badminton was another one of our favorite pastimes, and still is when we get together over the summer. I think us sisters could give the Olympic competitors a run for their money in badminton…at least in my mind.  

The Summer Olympics are almost over for another four years. Enjoy them. Recall Olympic memories from your childhood. Tell them to your family and laugh over them if necessary. It’s never too late to fulfill your dreams, even if it is all in your head.