I am so filled with pride, and gratitude after a very incredible weekend at the summer games. On the global scale it was amazing to see the entire production beginning with the Opening Ceremonies, followed by two full days of sporting events, with lots of extracurricular activities for teams and families. There were literally hundreds of volunteers who offered their help and hearts to host these summer games. It looked effortless which is a tribute to the preparation and dedication of the amazing Special Olympics organization. They were depended upon, and delivered, the tasks of staging, escorting, directing, supporting, congratulating, awarding, and many other important roles.
On the local level I am touched by, and impressed by our coach, his parents, and his team of assistant coaches. We are blessed to have these individuals in our lives as they care about our kids, and believe in encouraging and celebrating their abilities. Many hours have been spent planning, practicing, and preparing for this event. This weekend wasn't just a commitment of showing up at the track - it was much much more. Each athlete was required to spend the weekend in the campus dorms with their coaches and chaperones. For many of us it was the first time letting go of our child for an overnight away from family. Imagine handling that? There was alot of responsibility placed on their shoulders as they managed everything morning through night - bedtime, dressing, showering, eating, travelling, and finally, performing. I'm certain I can speak for all the families of our team when I say we are never going to forget what our coaches have done, and what a gift it was to participate in such a memorable event.
