Opening Ceremonies

     We started to watch the Olympics the other night but it got late.  They sat safely on the dvr until this morning.  Today we watched the different athletes walk proudly with their flags flying high.  We marveled at their uniforms, read the stats out loud and wondered how there were countries that we had never heard of even though we all share the same planet.   Today we watched more events.  I love the summer games and am hoping to spread that love to my children.  I think it's working since my daughter appeared to be trying a butterfly stroke at the pool today.  They have also been practicing their karate forms more than ever.  I'm hoping the child that I have called my "little gymnast" since I carried him under my ribs might feel the flicker of the torch.   Olympic hopefuls and daydreams aside I want them to see the work, passion, training, pride and love that makes an Olympic athlete.  I want them to be inspired by the stories of sacrifice, endurance and opposition.  I hope that they see the heart that makes these athletes who they really are...heroes for the country they represent.  I also want them to see that the world can celebrate together and join forces and be unified...even if just for a few weeks.  The very competition that should make them enemies is the gift that brings them together.  Humanity can make sense...even if just for a little while.