We are just a week away from the winter Olympics. WOO HOO! As an "athlete wanna-be" I'm always glued to as much of the winter and summer Olympics as my schedule allows. We've even had the opportunity to attend the Olympics a few times and it is an awesome experience. I'm sure you're like me and can't believe it's been four years already! How does that happen? Time sure does fly.
As I look forward to seeing the new athletes and cheering them on, I have one vivid memory from the previous Olympics I want to share with you. It is the story of Zhang Dan. You may not remember Zhang Dan's name, but, with some prompting, you may remember the event. At the time I called it the "thud heard around the world," which I'll explain in a minute. Here's what happened. The very graceful and extremely athletic Chinese pair skating team, unrelated, but both named Zhang, had a misstep and Zhang Dan, the woman skater, took a hard fall. Their mission had been to land a never-before-landed quadruple Salchow. Now, for the Salchow to work, one partner throws another to achieve maximize speed and height. That part is scary enough, but, that's not all. My trusty friend, Google, tells me that a Salchow involves a jump with a takeoff from a back inside edge of the skate while landing on the back outside edge of the opposite foot after turning a few rotations in the air. I'm exhausted just reading the description! Remember, this Solchow as a quadruple. In other words---FOUR turns in the air. Crazy, right? This is athletic ability beyond my imagination. Right now, I'm doing good to master the moves in a simple country line dance where my feet might leave the ground for two inches and not at the same time.
Back to the story. You could almost hear a collective, worldwide gasp as both of Zhang Dan's knees hit the ice with a resounding thud. But, the thud wasn't the end of the agony. This beautiful skater continued to spin across the ice stopping only when she barreled into the retaining wall. The cameras shot to her teammates, who stood with their hands over their mouths and their eyes filling with tears; then to the crowd of Olympic fans, each staring in horror. In homes around the world, millions of viewers, like me, watched from our living rooms, too shocked to speak.
But the real story was still to come. Zhang Dan skated to the side as she rubbed her knees and cried. Her partner was right beside her, comforting her and holding her up. Everyone assumed they were finished; their Olympic dream over. But, after only five minutes, as if by some pre-determined cue the pair proudly skated out to resume their routine at the precise moment the fall had interrupted it. That, my friends, is the Olympic spirit.
Most of us will never have an experience exactly like Zhang Dan's was but all of us will know what it feels like to hit the ground hard and spin out of control. As a busy mom, you wake up every day praying that you can keep upright on your mommy-skates and land the day with minimum success. You're not even hoping for a ten, a seven or an eight would do just fine. But, the reality is, there are days when a bad landing, a two or three, is the best you can do. You might fall a little short as all of your children beg for your attention at the same time or when your husband ignores the signals that you need help or when your teenager forgets to take out the trash.
What I love about Zhang Dan's story is her courage and strength to start right where she left off. Later in an interview, she said when the music started she wasn't sure where to begin, but soon her instincts took over and she just started skating. Wow! I love that thought. The pair went on to win the Silver Medal.
God is all about helping us pick up the pieces after a nasty fall. His voice is the music we can hear if we will only listen. When we do, it will be as if by some predetermined cue the music will lead us right back to where we should be. God is our comforting partner, allowing us our five minutes to cry before he whispers in our ear, "You can do it. Keep skating. I'm here to hold you up." God is the coach on the sideline whispering, "Go for it! You ARE prepared." God is the crowd of fans who came to see you succeed and cheers you on even, or more so, after a fall.
Today as you spin through your day with the pace of an Olympic champion, don't be discouraged that you may fall a time or two. I've no doubt you will and I will too. Just remember, the music will start again and you will finish the performance on the top of your game. Go, Mom, Go! There's a gold medal awaiting each of you!
PS Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints. What an awesome game!
Hugs, Chrys
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