Olympic Memories

I am a fan of the Olympic movement. The peaceful gathering of athletes from around the globe, to compete in the spirit of sport for its own sake and with no political agenda. To win the gold medal in your sport is so much harder than to win a world championship. World championships are typically earned over the length of a season and are a cumulation of ups and downs. The athlete that wins is one that has been the most consistent over that breadth of the season. Not so with the Olympics. To win gold, you need to be the best in the world, on that one day, at that one defining moment. Overcoming four years of preparation and pressure to be at your very best at that one specific golden moment in time.

Think of the USA Hockey team winning the gold at home in Lake Placid against the best hockey team in the history of history. Of Speed skater Dan Jansen, after 6 years of failure following the death of his sister, putting it all together for that one golden moment. Or Evan Lysacek training his entire life to compete in Mens Figure Skating, going up against the reining Olympic champion and skating the performance of his life to win the gold. That one day, that one 4 minute performance, the culmination of a lifetime of work. Simply magical. I feel blessed to have be able to share these experiences with them.

The Olympics also allows us all to mark the time of our lives by the four year ticking of the Olympic clock. 1976 Montreal, catching bits and pieces of the games while at Boy Scout camp in New Mexico. 1984 Los Angeles, the first games of my married life and the USA Mens gymnastics team winning the gold. 1992 Barcelona, the first games of our new lives living in California and the first with our two boys Nik and Alex with the USA Mens Basketball dream team. 2002 Salt Lake City, the one and only games I’ve ever witnessed in person and with my Dad too. A very special memory. 2004 Athens, The first Olympics since my Mom passed away and our introduction to Michael Phelps. 2010 Vancouver, First winter games since moving my family to Minnesota where winter sports are king and watching local girl Lindsey Vonn ski to gold in the Downhill.

What milestones will the future Olympics bring? Only time will tell. But, it brings me peace knowing that the consistent drum beat of the Olympics will be there to help me mark the way.

Remembering Mom

Today marks the seventh anniversary of the day that changed my life forever. On this date in Tucson Arizona, my Mom Joanna Wunrow left her home on earth and entered her new life in Heaven. She left behind my Dad, me and my five brothers and sisters, 16 grand children and countless friends, neighbors and co-workers. She left a fingerprint of love on everyone she encountered. To Mom, no request was to big, no need was too small. She would always do everything in her power to help the people around her.

Mom, there are so many milestones that have passed these last seven years. Thinks I have longed to have been able to share with you. I want to share a few of them with you now.

Your first grandson Nik is such a kind and gentle spirit. There is so much of you in him. Nik overcame the challenges of Autism and graduated from High School! Mom, you should have seen him at the ceremony in his cap and gown. A permanent smile on his face and tears of pure joy streaming down his cheeks. I just know you would have hugged him with all your strength, matching his tears sob for sob until all the your joy had filled him to overflowing. Your pride of his accomplishment would have filled the entire room.

Your third grandson Alex is a confident young man. Alex took our move to Minnesota from California the hardest. His High School years were filled with frustration and doubt. But through it all he never gave up. In him I can see your ability not let your past define your future. It is with this gift that he has overcome so many obstacles. Mom, our little boy is now a freshman at the University of Nebraska. A major university that he earned is way into by sheer strength of will and character. He is studying to be a journalist with dreams of using his God given gifts to make a difference in the lives of others. I know that you would be so incredibly proud of Alex and his accomplishments.

Your first granddaughter Catie a beautiful, passionate creative young woman. Remember her as your little ballerina? All those sweet little dance recitals you saw. Well, our little girl is now a beautiful Ballroom dancer, studying dance at a performing arts High School. She is a graceful and poised and confident performer. I just know that if you could see her today you would feel pride and joy and happiness. All of these things come out in her dancing. All of these things you poured into her over and over again in her young life with grandma.

Mom, not a day goes buy without me thinking of you. For many years I missed you terribly. All I could think of was all the experiences that we were no longer able to share. But now, I need only to look at the lives of my children to see that you are still here. You are a part of the best that is in each of them. When I hug them, I hug them the way you would hug them, Holding on tight for as long as they’ll let me. I fill them up with love and in tern their love flows back and fills me too. Thank you for teaching me to love. God Bless you Mom. I Love You.