When intense emotions, amazing inspiration and immeasurable blessings come my way, I tend to shutdown for a few. That's where I've been since attending last weekend's Special Olympics Georgia summer games.
You have no idea.
After awaking Friday at 4:30AM and hitting the road (we dragged Grandma along), our family arrived at Emory University in plenty of time for Wil's preliminary swims in the 25m and 50m freestyle events.
As we walked into the aquatics center I gasped.
"That's a really big pool they expect my baby to jump into and swim. It's an Olympic-size pool."
"Duh" chimed the brothers, Lee and Mac.
Wil did not flinch.
Dad, aka Coach, prepped Wil and his teammate as they began their warm-up swim.
Wil dove into that big ole pool for warm-up laps like he'd done it every day of his life. Me, I was hanging onto the upper deck rail snapping photos between gasps of "that's my baby in that really big pool." I swear, Michael Phelps could not have been more cool and focused than Wil.
Then came the call for swimmers to the bullpen and coaches to leave the deck. Dad-coach had this "they've taken my son and I don't know where he is" look. How I love this man who loves our sons beyond measure.
Grandma was like "What? They're making my baby grandchild swim in that really big pool without his Dad nearby?!". I love my mom.
I even sensed a bit of concern and tension from the big brothers. The biggest brother was stuck at work and staying in touch by cell phone.
My heart was aflutter. My baby boy looked so small and alone sitting on the edge of the really big pool ready to dive into his lane.
But he was never alone. Look at the volunteers lining the pool. They were on both sides. I love me some autotrader.com volunteers.
Then my skinny little boy dove into the really big pool and swam. He remembered his dad-coach's words "Hold back. It's only preliminaries."
Oh be still my heart. Did I mention that's my little baby boy in the really big pool? The one who was never expected to walk, talk or have measurable intelligence?
Well, it's him.
He swam.
See that lady there on the left...the one cheering for my son with all her heart? I love her. I'd put her in my will if I knew her name. Anyone recognize her?
After the preliminary swims came relaxed moments with dear, sweet, quiet Grandma...who by the way was anything but dear, sweet and quiet during Wil's swim. I just didn't get any shots of her because, you know, I was a little busy focusing on my baby in that really big pool.
When preliminaries were over, all Wil had to say was, "That was easy. Can we go get pizza now?"
Wil and our family love you for your support.
Reliving that was purely exhausting for me. I'll be back later to post the photos and events of opening ceremonies, the actual competition swims, Wil's results, his television interview and the celebration dance.
Did you notice that not one photo is in focus? Remember, most of the time mom-photographer hanging onto a railing with one hand, snapping photos with the other and cheering like a mad woman. The other shots...I have no excuse beyond pure exhaustion.
Dad also shot video of Wil and me at the celebration dance as we danced (and I use that term loosely) to the Pointer Sisters song, Jump.
Beyond Wil's story there is so much I want to say about Special Olympics...the volunteers...the athletes. Unless you've been there, you have no idea.
It was my first time.
I am forever changed.
