I remember when I was a girl feeling very sad the first time
I realized I would never be an Olympian, I was heartbroken (for as long as an
eight year old pays attention to anything).
Now that I am an adult, I look at all these athletes, most of whom are
younger than me and know I missed my ‘window’.
However, I don’t feel sad for my loss, but theirs. I listen to 15 year old medalists say they
have worked their entire life for that moment.
Their entire life! Can you imagine dedicating your entire childhood to a sport where you
get one chance to be the greatest and peek at the age of 16? No thank you.
I am pretty sure no one is ever going to give me a medal for
anything, but I am pretty good at a lot of things. And more than that, I had
the opportunity to experience a lot of things.
As a kid I played softball and swimming.
Took dance and art classes.
Dressed up and played pretend.
Went to Disneyland on summer vacation.
Camped at the lake. Was in the
band, the school play and hung out with my friends. I did stuff.
Lots of stuff.
In college I went to football games, joined a sorority, and
participated in student government. I
stayed out late, slept in late and occasionally dragged my butt to the gym. I had a lot of fun not being a world class
athlete.
Maybe I am trying to validate my choices in life or justify
why I can sit on the couch eating pretzels while the best athletes in the word
leave it all in the pool, gym or stadium.
Whatever the case may be, I appreciate what I have and wouldn’t trade all
those experiences for a gold medal and all you have to give up to get one. I respect the talented athletes who do make
those choices. I have thoroughly enjoyed
watching them compete. They may even
have motivated me to hit the gym a little harder, but I certainly don’t feel
like I am missing out.
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