A message for my parents
This was an e-mail that my Uncle sent to my dad. I thought it was so well said. Seeing my parents today at the Olympics was so special for me. They have been through all of the hard times with me, always by my side and always supporting me. No one who is in this Olympic Games could be where they are right now without support like I get from my parents. I know there are a lot of young synchro parents reading these journals I write and I thought it might be nice for you to hear a perspective on a journey like this. And mom and dad, I love you!
Cres, watching the Opening Ceremonies last night, I was thinking, what a righteous payoff for a great Dad. Felt so proud of you. All those thousands of trips to Santa Clara in tough traffic. All the smokey nights in the Bingo Parlor raising money for other parent's kids to compete in Europe, or someplace. Lauren's the star of the show, but last night I was thinking about you. The hundreds of times you had to interrupt what seemed so important at the moment to deliver this little twelve year old to practice, who probably didn't feel like going that day anyway. We've all admired you for years. What a story. Small waif with oversized eyes and smile and no end of sticktoitiveness, with parents willing to back her to the end no matter what, arrives at the Olympics and now having grown into the eyes and smile, marches onto this world stage wearing red, white and blue--a tall, bronze, American goddess oozing confidence and grace obtained somewhere along this long long road you've all traveled together. And none of it would have happened without you and Paula. I know you guys just did what parents are supposed to do, and others of us have done similar duty--but millions of others wouldn't have had what it took. They would have looked at each other on the hundredth practice day, facing a crammed Bayshore Freeway and said, "Let's try soccer, it's so much closer." So, in a way, last night was a celebration of Olympic calibre parents and you guys got the gold.
Cres, watching the Opening Ceremonies last night, I was thinking, what a righteous payoff for a great Dad. Felt so proud of you. All those thousands of trips to Santa Clara in tough traffic. All the smokey nights in the Bingo Parlor raising money for other parent's kids to compete in Europe, or someplace. Lauren's the star of the show, but last night I was thinking about you. The hundreds of times you had to interrupt what seemed so important at the moment to deliver this little twelve year old to practice, who probably didn't feel like going that day anyway. We've all admired you for years. What a story. Small waif with oversized eyes and smile and no end of sticktoitiveness, with parents willing to back her to the end no matter what, arrives at the Olympics and now having grown into the eyes and smile, marches onto this world stage wearing red, white and blue--a tall, bronze, American goddess oozing confidence and grace obtained somewhere along this long long road you've all traveled together. And none of it would have happened without you and Paula. I know you guys just did what parents are supposed to do, and others of us have done similar duty--but millions of others wouldn't have had what it took. They would have looked at each other on the hundredth practice day, facing a crammed Bayshore Freeway and said, "Let's try soccer, it's so much closer." So, in a way, last night was a celebration of Olympic calibre parents and you guys got the gold.
posted by Lauren McFall @ 9:15 PM
3 Comments:
At August 16, 2004 at 10:03 AM,
Anonymous said…
Hi Lauren,
It is so wonderful that you are writing a journal and allowing all your friends to peak over your shoulder and have a glimpse of the Olympics first hand!!!!!!!
Thank you millions. Loved the e-mail to your dad from your Uncle! How true!
I have passed your Journal on to others who love you and WE ARE ALL CHEERING YOU AND THE TEAM ON!!!! Love and hugs, Sally Brown for all the Browns
At August 16, 2004 at 12:10 PM,
Anonymous said…
Lauren, Congrats on a phenominal achievement to be in Greece. People forget what it takes from you and everyone around you to be there and the message from your uncle to you dad is a reminder of how great what your doing is and how much has been sacrificed along the way. The message was so moving, it gave me chills. How proud your family must be. Congrats, congrats, and congrats again. -Dave Lucas
At August 17, 2004 at 9:35 AM,
Anonymous said…
Wow, this tribute to your parents is exactly on point. Tears are still rolling down my face as I can recognize all the parents who have ever organized a carpool in his remarks. It is true that only a few swimmers will make it to the Olympics, but every parent gets the same payoff when the athletes at the games represent all the efforts made year round across the country for all our kids.
Post a Comment
<< Home