A sign of the times? With the exception of a few guest appearances on TV by some Olympic gold medalists, the games are "last week's news." All the hoopla, the real and fabricated rivalries, the daily medal count, the endless commentary, the dissection of each performance, the statistics, the broken records - over. The pomp and circumstance, like the flame, extinguished.
I do love the Olympics, especially the summer Olympics, but not for any of the above. Rather, it's the human element that grabs and holds my interest. The individual stories of dedication, discipline, and drive. Dreams realized and dreams crushed. Arrogance and humility side by side. The commitment of not just the athletes, but their families, and coaches, and communities. The incredible sacrifice for the sheer possibility of - in most cases - simply participating.
So, the two moments from these games that I place in my album of Olympic memories have nothing to do with gold medals or broken records. Not even anything to do with US athletes, but rather with two individuals whose names I can't recall, and in the case of one of them, the country she represented.
The first, the young South African runner, competing in a semi-final heat, finishing last, but finishing - on prosthetic blades he's worn since losing both legs as a child. Cheered on by the crowd and embraced by the winner, it didn't matter that he finished last. He finished. And realized his dream of competing against able-bodied runners in the Olympics and making it to the semi-finals. No medal, no beating his chest, no self-congratulatory boasts. Just humble acknowledgment, satisfaction, and appreciation.
The second image - one I caught accidentally. A young female runner, the first woman representative of her Arabic nation. No skin tight leotard for her. Again, finishing last, but finishing. Her own record, though. The first woman - from an Arabic nation!
I've thought about these two young people often this past week. About their courage, persistence and tenacity in the face of overwhelming obstacles, obstacles most Americans can't imagine. Driven, not by gold medals or breaking records, or potential endorsements, but by some inner desire to do their personal best. And in doing so, accomplishing what so many would consider impossible.
I'm chagrined by my ruminations over how to spend my summer. So thank you, wherever you are, for your inspiration. For reminding me, once again, that what I complain about or fret over is often merely inconvenient or uncomfortable!
My attention was captured by the first trailer I saw. Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson - a cast of wonderful British actors in one film. I wondered, however, if it was a chick flick and an aging chick flick at that. Could I convince John to come with me - he who loves special effects and has difficulty understanding accents?
Fortunately, word-of-mouth endorsements have been building in our retirement community and I reminded him that he had enjoyed "Midnight in Paris". So we attended a Saturday matinee with perhaps a hundred other folks of our generation and, surprisingly, more than a few younger.
It was an appreciative audience, grateful I suspect to see performers of such depth and breadth depicting our generation, woefully neglected in the cinema, as capable of not only managing change, but generating it. Capable of healing the past and orchestrating an invigorating future. Riding a motorcycle through the teeming traffic of Jaipur? Looked pretty invigorating to me.
It is a sweet and compassionate film, presenting its characters - the elderly British and the young Indians - as well as India itself, with sensitivity and respect. (Judi Dench's character, Evelyn, easily could become a poster child for how to age with dignity).
So, whatever the critics and pundits may say about this film, we loved it as did that Saturday audience, youngsters included, who left smiling, chattering, many eager to tell friends and family they have to see it. I, for one, intend to see it again!
I've come to believe that one of life's greatest challenges is to stay grounded in the present moment; at least, it is for me. Granted, it can be vital to deal with the past and an uncertain future can scream to be shaped and secured, yet, it is the present moment that bears the unexpected gift and opportunity. And I almost missed it last night.
It was the first auditions for So You Think You Can Dance, a show I have grown to love; but the real action starts when the top 20 young dancers have been chosen, so it was tempting to skip for now. However, It is also one of the few shows John and I enjoy watching together; so I chose to at least give it a shot.
Now, I can become easily distracted by an incomplete chore, an upcoming event, a niggling worry, something else I'd rather be doing. My mind wanders, I fuss and fidget. I get up during every commercial. Last night, thankfully, I stayed engaged and was rewarded by examples of grace and commitment, of kindness, dignity and sensitivity. And pure, unadulterated joy.
There were, of course, the young dancers, many delusional, I fear. Some quite talented, and a few AWESOME - with a combination of talent, skill and passion. They are why I watch this show and am never disappointed. Last night, however, it was a judge who captured my attention and my heart (for other afficianadoes - Nigel). Quite unexpectedly, too, as I have an historical bias against him shaped by what I have considered to be past inappropriate behavior and comments. Last night, he blew it all away with three exchanges.
One, with a young autistic man who has a desire to dance, but alas, neither talent nor skill. Nigel let him down gracefully, treating him with great dignity and respect, commending the young man's courage in performing before a crowd and encouraging him to continue dancing. It was a demonstration of kindness and consideration we could use more of.
The second, when another young man said he was auditioning so that his mother, in the rear of the audience, afflicted with a rare eye disease that was destroying her vision, could see him perform on stage before it was too late. Nigel brought her forward, gave her his seat and held her hand. Whatever else happens in this competition for her son, they will have that moment etched in their memories. And so will John and I.
The last, the moment I most treasure. A young mother of two, also in the audience, was to perform. Nigel call the youngsters, aged 2 and 6, up front to watch their mom. When she finished, quite successfully, she commented that her two-year old daughter also loved to dance. Well, even if you didn't see it, you can guess what happened next. Up on stage the toddler hopped, resplendent in her little pink tutu, - and proceded to twirl and dip and point a tiny toe. To dance with joyous abandonment, present only to the music and some inner imperative to move. An infectious joy that touched the judges, the audience and the two of us.
I've thought of that toddler frequently today. Of her delight, her complete absorption in the moment. Of the parents who have obviously encouraged and nurtured her. Of what it might feel like to dance with such abandon, such joy, such presence.
A week ago today, my birthday, the beginning of not just another year but another decade. Striking how different this birthday felt from last year's. I had just dissolved my business of 25 years, was anxious about selling a house in the depressed Vegas market, wondering and worrying about how we'd get to St. George, what retirement would hold for both of us.
Today, only one year later, we're settled, both comforable, both enjoying continuous ed courses, meeting new people. Checking out restaurants, catching matinee movies on an impulse, developing new hobbies. Becoming better companions than ever in our 29 year marriage.
No longer any caregiving responsiblities. Secure. Healthy. Engaged. Content.
So, if not now, when? The question that hit me this morning. Nothing to prevent me from -
- learning Italian
- exploring Utah in an RV
- reading all of Jane Austen (never have!)
- learning to line dance
- taking a calligraphy class, or ceramics, or photography or...
- taking a cruise to Alaska or...
- visiting Venice?
Yup, if not now, when?
