Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Journey Comes to a Close

This amazing experience is coming to an end and what an experience it has been!

There are so many things I would like to tell readers about but I don't think I would be able to do some of them justice.  How do you truly explain the hype and vibe of over 4000 incredibly talented athletes in one village speaking every language you can imagine in the world.  Or of having athletes from nations who are at war with each other actually being on the same sporting ground competing or sitting in the dining hall just meters away from each other without nary a bullet being fired?  I've seen people, with disabilities so severe that not that many years ago would have been locked away and forgotten, up on a podium receiving medals with smiles on their faces brighter than the sun!

How do I explain the feeling of thumping that goes through your entire body while walking into the athletics stadium for the closing ceremonies, when you hear 90,000 people cheering...incredible!  It is all too fantastic for words.  I hope that when I am home to just put a blog together with photos, maybe that will help, but it wont do  the sights or sounds justice.

I think that the one thing that has stood out here is that every athlete whether a podium finisher or not, was happy to be here and share in the joy of knowing that they had done their best to make through these doors.  Yes we all want to be winners but that didn't stop those who didn't win a medal from approaching those that did and congratulating them.  I am sure that there are those that were disappointed at their results but the only tears I saw were tears of joy and that was so refreshing!

I have made some incredible friends here over the last week or so and bonded with teammates and staff, a bond that will last a lifetime.  I have been able to share this experience with family, my mom Phyllis, my sister Cindy and my aunt Marjorie and that has been priceless!  It has been an experience I will take to my grave and who knows maybe even experience it again in Rio!

My sister gave me a card that said "Behind very success is effort...Behind every effort is passion...Behind every passion is someone with the courage to try".  I hope that others who have followed my journey will use these words.  

Thank you London for a truly remarkable experience!

6 comments:

  1. Thank you Carol, for taking us along the best way you could.

    Your wonderful way with words and attention to interesting descriptive detail go a long way to aid one's imagination and visualization of your experience. I get goose bumps every time I read one of your Paralympic blogs and have laughed, cried and felt anticipation and excitement all the way through.
    And yes, you "lion" you (remember wizard of oz)........ You definitely have had the "courage" to try and try and try again!!!! And just look where it got you.. ! Thank you for sharing those inspiring words - leave it to your sister to find the perfect card.

    Carry on dear Carol........ carry on........
    xoxoxo, Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolyn, thank you for your wonderful words, I feel that my goal in taking you along for the ride has been met!
      Love you xxxx

      Delete
  2. Your blog has been an incredible ride for me. Thanks to Cindy for passing it on to me. It has been a great experience to share your adventures.

    Peace,

    Warren

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Warren, I'm glad you enjoyed the experience with me!

      Delete
  3. Hi there Carol my dearest niece.

    I can imagine the thrill of walking into the Stadium, unfortunately for us in Canada it was very difficult to find anything on our TV stations that supported the paraolympics - boo, to us. However, I hear from the sources that it was a blast for you and all your pals. What an experience for you Carol. Love you forever. Rheta and Robert.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe one day there will be parity in showing the Paralympic Games!
      Love you both, thanks for following my journey.

      Delete