Oh, Olympics, How Do I Love Thee?

I do not like to watch sports on TV. I’ll go to a hockey game, or to the US Open–and when I was in high school I had a big fat crush on a soccer player so, yeah, I’ve been to my fair share of soccer games–but when it comes down to it, I’d rather do anything than watch sports.

But there is something about the Olympics. Every two years (although I still think of them as every-four-years kind of things)…a bunch of kids from around the world come together and they compete. And every year, I am glued to the tv. Because there is something about the Olympics. Something really remarkable.

I think it’s hope. I think it’s the fact that today, in this world that is filled with people (myself included) who are filled with boredom and ennui and a real sense that there is nothing that can really awe us, there are hundreds of athletes in Vancouver who are literally experiencing the most amazing days of their lives.

You can see it on their faces when they enter the opening ceremonies in the parade of nations. You can see it in their eyes when they stick their landings. In the way they clutch their partners when they finish their remarkable iceskating routines. In the way they collapse to the ground when they cross the finish lines after the Nordic combined (did you SEE that?!).

They are awestruck. And they are hopeful. And they know that TODAY is the greatest day they have ever had.

And that is some serious mojo.

Serious enough that I feel it through my tv.

Eric makes fun of me. He thinks I’m silly to care about curling. But I do care. Not because I know anything about curling or ever will. But because these guys care about it. And they’ve been working their whole lives to be the best in the world at it.

And that’s something. Because I recognize that I’m not the best in the world at anything. So I give mad props to anyone who can lay claim to that superlative.

So, to the Olympians…all of them…go you. I’m watching.