August 1, 2012

The Power of the Dream

Sixteen years ago, I sat in my living room, just a little 7 year old, watching the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. I was so excited to watch gymnastics - my favorite Olympic sport. I loved all the tumbling and the balance beam was my ALL-TIME FAVORITE.

As a young 7 year old, I sat & watched as the Magnificent 7 claimed gold.

In no order: Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Kerri Strug, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden, & Jaycie Phelps

My favorites to watch were Shannon Miller & Dominique Moceanu. I remember, after the Olympics (for a few years after, actually), I was obsessed with gymnastics. Every time we would take a trip to the public library, I would always go back to the kid's gymnastics books. I would borrow a bunch of books explaining moves and other techniques. And I think I borrowed Dominique Moceanu's autobiography, Dominique Moceanu: An American Champion, every single time I went to the library for 5 years straight (no lie.).

Ever since those Olympics, I have loved gymnastics and waited for Team USA to win gold. Well, last night was that night I had been waiting for.

Jordyn Wieber, Gaby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Ali Raisman, & Kyla Ross

I'll admit, I shed a few tears because, yes, I am a sap for American dreams coming true and the National Anthem playing as the flag raises. These girls are 15-17 years old and were barely even alive to remember those 1996 games.

I am so proud of them. They have to be on Cloud 9 after the amazing routines they did last night. I mean, did you see McKayla's vault?! And those floor routines?!

Congratulations Team USA! Thanks for bringing home the gold! 

And that is what I'm loving Wednesday. 

And, yes, that is the title of the Celine Dion song from the 1996 Olympics. Love it.

2 comments:

  1. Go USA! I get so proud when we win. You'd think these people were my kids. Hehe.

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  2. I am the same way! I always cry when I watch the olympics haha you can't help it! I remember when they first one in 1996 sooo amazing. And how cool we could do it again :) You know those girls grew up watching them as an thinking of them as hero's! love it.


    So my GFC has been acting odd, but it let me follow you through my twitter account... how cool is that?! Who knew you could do that?!

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