Our family LOVES the Olympics! We actually attended the Salt Lake City games four years ago. We got in on the fun of pin-trading, survived the scrutiny of barely-post-9-11 security, and cheered the US Women’s bobsled team on to gold from right next to the rail.
Some people thought we were crazy to be taking 6 kids to the Olympics, especially since two of them were only 4 years old. But it was an awesome, unforgettable experience.
This year, now that we have children from TWO countries besides the US, we have even more to root for. During opening ceremonies, we cheered on the lone Ethiopian and were delighted to see the North Koreans and South Koreans march in together.
Last evening we watched the men’s moguls competition with great interest as well. One of the competitors, Toby Dawson, was adopted from Korea, you see, just like two of our children. As much as I was cheering for him, I was captivated even more by the sight of his mother, rooting him on from the stands.
She waved a flag. She screamed. She jumped. It seemed to me the epitome of what we as moms want for our children: for them to find a passion in life and to excel at it.
I read in the above article that Toby is hoping to someday find his birth family back in Korea. I hope he is successful in that, and that it is a good experience for him. But I know that when he looks back at yesterday, at this high point of achievement in his life, he will always see in his mind’s eye the leaping, laughing, screaming, joy-possessed figure of his mother, cheering for him with all her heart and soul. I hope and pray I am that kind of mother to each of my children.
This made my cry. Thanks