Olympic Memories -- Part 1

What does it say about me that I accomplished more in a 1/2 hour this morning (before going to work) than I did ALL WEEKEND??? I think it is crazy, but true. I meant to clean the house. I meant to clear the clutter, but what did I do ALL weekend? I watched the Olympics. You did too? Good! I feel less alone!

Watching the Olympics this past week has brought back SO many memories from my childhood. I was a gymnast once. I was not known for my skill so much as for my bravery. You see, I couldn't see. Really. As a kids I was not only nearsighted and somewhat cross eyed, (I still wear contacts today and can't see the clock radio next to the bed), but I was also the proud owner of a lazy eye. Back in the day they did surgery for the dreaded "lazy eye" or cross eyed kid. I was lucky (?), my ophthalmologist decided to be an innovator and he used alternative treatment methods. I wore an eye patch. Like a pirate, but cuter.

My eye patch was first put on my glasses to force my weaker eye to take over for the patched eye's lack of input. I learned to look over the top of my glasses to work around this impediment to my vision. I gained the nickname "Granny" for this accomplishment and the doctor opted for the adhesive flesh toned eye patch which was stuck on my face for all of my waking hours. I soon learned to pull the patch out a little to allow for the good eye to peak as needed. I know, an innovator even at a young age. You are shocked, no?

Between being weak eyed, cross eyed, and nearsighted I was an opticians nightmare. Add strong willed and you have an even more explosive mix.

My parents had 4 kids and so I guess there wasn't always time for thinking things through all the way. If there was time to reflect, I imagine my parents would not have signed me up for gymnastics. In the days of Olga Korbit and Nadia Comaneci, every girl wanted to be a gymnist.... I was no different.

Olga:


Nadia:


How could you not want to FLY and stick a landing like that? I was human, I wanted to be a gymnast... despite my pirate patch.

How was I to know the impact my vision might have on my ability to balance? I was just a kid.... a very brave kid.

Perhaps too brave and more than a little foolish....

I wanted to fly.... I dared to dream.

I would become an Olympic gymnast!