Yeah, I’m watching the Olympics. It’s the first time my 5 year old has really been old enough to get into it and he’s been enjoying volleyball, gymnastics, rowing, swimming, and more. Personally, I’ve religiously followed the women’s gymnastics because I took and loved gymnastics as a kid. I’ve been very disappointed in the way the judges have scored the American women, though. I think there’s been a clear bias and it bothers me a lot because our gymnasts really deserved better. I guess I should be glad they’ve won the medals they have but it seems like it’s been really unfair from my perspective.
I’ve also watched a little bit of Michael Phelps coverage and my husband and I stayed up Saturday night to see him win his 8th gold. For the first time in my life I found myself identifying more with the mother rather than the athlete. Not that I was ever much of an athlete but as a young person I found it easier to identify with them. Now I find myself watching Michael Phelps’ mom and seeing her pride and joy for her son and I think that one day, I may be the mom of someone who does something truly extraordinary. Not that I will mind if my kids are just ordinary (Grey’s Anatomy reference there) but wow…they have SUCH a future ahead of them and they can DO anything and BE anything now. At their ages, they’re not too old to get involved in anything from swimming to running to gymnastics, and even things beyond the world of sports…politics, academics, the arts…the list is endless now. I feel like my oldest, especially, is on the brink of discovering who he is and where his strengths lie. He is super smart and though he lacks the discipline, really enjoys sports and is also a very attractive child. I really believe he has the capacity to excel in anything he has the desire to pursue. One day I’d love to see him up on that podium, receiving a gold medal.
But I’d also love to see him as nothing more than a typical hard working man who loves his wife and children and treats them well, just like his dad. There’s honor in both paths and heroes everywhere. So while I have huge respect for Michael Phelps and his accomplishments, it’s good to remind myself that there’s so much more to being a success than winning a record number of medals.
