The London Olympics are almost over. I have watched faithfully, screamed, cheered, cried and been inspired. I can think of so many moments of great, but only this one will forever make me remember what life is all about.
Oscar Pistorius isn't an American. He didn't represent our country, yet I found myself honestly cheering for this Olympian and not because he's a double amputee, because he represents the courage that every human being no matter what their life brings them should embody. I do not feel sorry for him for not having his legs rather I embrace the fact that even because I have two I could have never have done what he has. All he wanted was to compete. A dream to live as a runner, to be treated just like his other team mates and athletes at the games.
I think that whatever he does in his life, he's happy. We all dream and along the way we want the respect of any individual not because we are handicap but because we are man and woman of equal parts heart and determination.
When another runner exchanged his number and patch, it was a sign of respect. I think that, yes winning at that moment would have been everything. But we don't always win do we? Respect, I believe gets you farther in life.
So my message is clear. If ever one day the kid looks at me and says I can't. After I bitch slap him into oblivion, I will show him these pictures, tell him to read this story and say I CAN for myself alone because mama didn't raise no quitter. S-N-A-P!
Be inspired by courage of any kind.
Happy Weekend,
Dusty
I was watching track last night and they were talking about these dudes that started running when they were being attacked by guerilla armies in their home countries. How crazy is that? And now they're winning gold medals.
ReplyDeletethat's in.sane. definitely something to remember.
ReplyDeleteWE HAVE BEEN WATCHING IT NON-STOP TOO..i THINK i MA READY FOR IT BE OVER :)
ReplyDeletesHEREE X
www.itsnotthatdeep.com
Great post and even better reminder.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter says I Can't and it makes me insane. My response is Woman up and get it done! You can do anything if you put your mind to it!
Hugs!
Kara
ShawnKaraAndHeidi.blogspot.com
Watching him race brought an instant sense of want in my heart. I wanted to be more, do more. He s SO encouraging!
ReplyDeleteI agree 110%. Most of the time, its not even what's being done, its the fact that someone had the courage to do it that inspires me.
ReplyDeleteI do however, take that to extremes at times. Like an awful karokoke singer? I cheer louder cause it takes sooo much more courage to get up there and sound awful than to know you kill it. Lol
BOOM - bitch slapping and yelling - that is why you are mother of the year in my eyes. Parenting 101 Dusty style.
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justyn
Mama didn't raise no quitter is right! Oscar is amazing and I was cheering for him too, for the same reasons as you!
ReplyDeletexo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Look at you getting all profound. I love it. He is such an inspiration and was amazing to watch. Seriously unbelievable and gives so much perspective on our lives.
ReplyDeleteSo encouraging! Amazing what you can do when you set your heart on something.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! So inspiring and so true. It was incredible to watch him run and be out there living his dream!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Amazing stories some of those guys have!! WOW! You're such a good mama for pushing your son to do and be his best! Happy Friday!
ReplyDeletexo
AGREED! What else is there to say?
ReplyDeleteSo amazing and encouraging. I'm sad the Olympics is almost over:(
ReplyDeleteAmen! Very inspiring for sure.
ReplyDeletei got pretty dang emotional when i read about this the other day. so amazing to see people being this encouraging to others.
ReplyDeleteI hope that one day I will be as good a mom as you.
ReplyDeleteSNAP is right! Logan is going to be a lucky girl one day because of her husband's momma!!!
ReplyDeleteShanna
Every Olympian is so inspiring! There are 16 year olds and men without legs GETTING IT DONE. So many have come from horrible adversity in their home country, yet they do things on a daily basis I could never imagine doing.
ReplyDeleteAw should a good post! I was definitely cheering for him too, he is so inspiring!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Petchie
http://itsallofthelittlethings.blogspot.com/
Only you could make me tear up reading and then bust out laughing at the end. My whole family is obsessed with Oscar Pistorius. He's such an inspiration and I'll be honest... quite easy on the eyes!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the athletes perform, especially when they've overcome such great obstacles like this guy has...really does challenge me to say "I can" instead of "I can't"...
ReplyDeleteWatching to olympics always inspires me also. I always tell myself that I"ll be in the next olympics. I"ll just keep running with the baby stroller a little farther and farther each day! And stop eating Mint n chip icecream. I'd LOVE to run! Your post is spot on! This man IS an inspiration! He has fulfilled his dream! His momma definitely didn't raise a quitter!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so amazing! It reminds me that people like that aren't disabled people...It's the people that are shortsighted and have "can't" attitudes that are disabled. Good for you teaching your son the right attitude!
ReplyDeleteSo true! I feel like I can never say I can't do something after seeing him run.
ReplyDelete*Erin
Oscar is gonna run in the paralympics and so many people were mad that he was there at the "regular" olympics I was like shut the hell up! He has more heart and soul then you ever will! And that runner from Grenada brought home the countries first ever medal for the country, such inspiring stories came from these Olympics! Sad they are over!
ReplyDeletethis post was so touching, i love how you lightened the mood with a dusty-ism in the last paragraph :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, this is a reminder of what we should be grateful for & what we could accomplish if we try.
i cheered for him too, and love this post - touching and beautiful. i will look for courage and be inspired by it this week!
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