Olympic Parents

I have always enjoyed watching the Olympics.

I am amazed at how emotionally involved I can get about the American athletes that I know little about and sometimes little about the sport they are playing.

I love hearing the background stories of their lives, seeing the clips of them growing up doing their sport, and the shots of their parents looking on in the stands.

The parents have got to be my favorite.

I watched as the parents of a woman gymnast lived their little girl's routine from their seats. And the priceless joy and relief in their faces when she nailed it.

And then there is the devastation in the faces of the parents when their child doesn't quite reach their goal. When they don't get the chance to have the medal hung around their neck. The knowing that there are four more years until their next chance. My heart sinks for them.

It made me realize that they had invested years of their lives to help their children's dreams come true. 

And I'm sure that their dreams are coming true watching the happiness of the children. Watching their Olympian children fight for the gold. What an amazing feeling that has got to be for a parent.

Silly maybe, but I find myself tearing up over and over watching the parents.

I hope that I get to help in making my children's dreams come true. I hope to watch them succeed and grow and live the life that will make them the person they want to be. It doesn't matter what they become as long as I get to see that smile of pride flash across their face. To know that they are happy.

I don't know if I'd be strong enough to be a parent of an Olympian . . . but if that is a path they choose, I'd definitely be there to cheer them on for all the years it would take.

Honestly, I'd be just as happy with teachers and chefs and fashion designers and garbage men and scientists and firefighters and anything their hearts are drawn to. (I know that there are MANY other jobs in the world, those are the ones I hear coming out of my children's mouths)

Congratulations to all the Olympians and their parents. Even if no medal is won, you have achieved more then many have ever dreamt of doing! I look forward to watching more dreams come true in Great Britain :)

GO USA!!!