Going for the Gold

When Mr. Chat and Chatty are home from work, they are avid watchers of the Olympics. They like all of the sports. It's sort of a father/daughter bonding time. I'm not that dedicated. Oh sure. As I'm passing through the living room on my way to the computer, I may sit down and watch a segment. I spot the USA competitors and keep a watchful eye on them. I may even do a fist-pump up in the air and say, "GO Team USA!" But then I'm up and moving on to other projects.

Yesterday, Mr. Chat had to leave for work early in the afternoon. As I made my usual pass through the living room, there sat Chatty and the two dogs----all alone---watching the Olympics. How pitiful is that??? We all know that the Olympics is at least a two person spectator sport. Otherwise, there is one person in a room talking to and cheering at a TV screen. That seems a little unbalanced to me. To save my only daughter from looking like she was needing to be fitted for one of those fancy, white jackets; I sat down and watched the girls gymnastics and the male swimming competition.

Of course, gymnastics is my favorite Summer Olympic sport. But as I mentioned above, I root for the USA as a whole team. Yesterday, I gained a whole new perspective and appreciation for the event. I listened as the commentator gave a little background history on each competitor. I realized how much personal sacrifice each team member and their families have made and invested to advance to the Olympics. Suddenly, I was not just rooting for my country. I was rooting for an individual who earned the right to be there. At that moment, I felt like I was rooting for a young person from my hometown, my neighborhood or a young person who went to school with Chatty. Now I get it!!

That being said: there was a portion of the show that was thoroughly entertaining to me.  As a parent, I completely understand the emotions that these parents exhibited.  I'm sure this will be showed  many, many times. And depending on who will be showing it, there will be different spins, opinions and remarks. I'm sure David Letterman, or someone like him, will say something sort of humiliating about these people. But I, for one, found it to be upliftin


As far as the swim team. It was what it was. I don't know. All I kept thinking during their performance was I needed to call my mom and see if she could make a quick trip to England. She could teach those boys a thing or two about pulling up their drawers!