The Olympics 2010
Our Hearts Ache
The World Watched
The world cried as we all watched... we were still reeling as the news told us of a University shooting in a sleepy Alabama town where a professor didn't like hearing that she would not be getting tenure and then went on a shooting spree killing colleagues...
I had just written that homicide hadn't happened in a week in the Nations Capital . . . and now a professor? At a University in Alabama? Are you kidding me?
And then... in anticipation of the Olympics, T.V.'s tuned, we were ready to see the brilliance; the beauty, the athletes and their desires, the attitudes of "defying gravity" in front of millions when the unthinkable happens. A young man in the prime of his life, having the time of his life dies in front of those watching him as he does what he has trained to do. My heart aches, along with the hearts of millions. He was right there... within sight of the finish line; traveling at speeds of 90 mph, we were rooting for him, watching and being amazed. We were preparing for the beginning of many moments like this after all this is the Olympics. And then in the blink of an eye it happened.
This morning the International Federation has already determined its not "their fault" but rather "human error"... I do not care about that detail, I care that a young life is ended in the flicker of a firefly, I care that his parents and his friends and his fellow athletes are there trying to cope with this tragedy. The luge is known for its danger in the Olympics, those who participate also know of the dangers in the sport as well, but no one saw this as a possibility, no one.
This young man's fellow countrymen marched into the stadium wearing black armbands last night, the country's flack was trimmed in black in honor of him as well. The photo a tribute to him as well. Odd that just this week I had blogged about black armbands and their powerful significance.
Once again we are united in our pain for someone we don't know, united in the universal thread that is grief/loss/tragedy and one person out there doing what they love.
Yes, it's always darkest just before dawn... here in Tarpon Springs this morning it's quite dark still this morning and oh so chilly.
This is the day Fairway has been busy preparing for, it's the day for Tammy Stansell. Those early risers are probably getting ready to hit those little white balls all over the course at Innisbrook and then head on over to Fairway for a day and night filled with GREAT ENTERATINMENT, SUPER FOODS, SILENT AUCTIONS, DRINK SPECIALS, WONDERFUL FRIENDS, KIDS ACTIVITIES, LOCAL AUTHOR SIGNING COPIES OF HEALING HEARTACHES AND UNVEILING THE EXCLUSIVE LINE OF HEALING HEARTACHES JEWELRY FOR THE FIRST EVER TIME!!!
Ah yes, life goes on, and the world is still spinning, and heartaches, tragedies and healing ways will find us unprepared and often with tears, storms and rainbows...
I wish you enough today.
To those in the Olympics, those who know those there, my heart aches for your losses, and to those of who watched in horror... it is another time to remember, we have today, this moment.
Take good care.
Walk In Beauty,
Dr Sherry E Showalter,
Author of:
Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss & Life
http://www.healingheartaches.com
5 comments:
Good morning everyone.
Bless the young man, the fit Olympian, hopeful
to enjoy the experience of his life. My heart
broke when I watched the footage of his tragic accident. Makes me thankful for my breath, my health, my years of life. A reminder to
" enjoy your lunch ", for we never know when it's our time.........
Fairway event: I will have to miss, prior plans south of here. Hope for a successful day and night. Sign off for now, as always:
F I R M I C E S C R E A M
after seeing the footage, it sure puts life in perspective doesn't it? My heart breaks for the family.
Dr. SES, it was not believable to see that beautiful young man fly over the fence and never to get up again. Yes today is the day and we must cherish each moment. There is lots of sadness in this World. We can hope to make it a better place by helping and loving each other. My heart goes out to the Olymphians and most of all to the family who was left behind. The dreams of a young one gone before his time.
You always talk about making choices. Didn't the luge athlete make a "choice" to participate in a very dangerous sport?
While I feel sadness...there is no surprise, I expect injuries and even fatalities when people make decisions to participate in such activities.
Regarding the "choices" those with cancer and other dis-eases make...while my survey may only include about a dozen....those making the "choice" to embrace their illness are having a much better time dying than those who choose to battle their illness with poisons. I have become an advocate for one person making an informed decision to die under the care of hospice with no treatment of her cancer whatsoever. I applaud her for not being a warrior. I also applaud all those who choose to be warriors.
It's all about the choices we make.
Another young life snuffed out, So sad. Prayers to his family and the other athletes who have put themselves on the line. A prayer for a safe and blessed day for the rest of us. Good to see though that so many people cared.
Post a Comment