This wasn’t what I had intended on blogging about today, but something happened last night while I was watching the Olympics – I saw a testament to the human spirit.  China’s Zhong and Zhong went out on the ice as the last couple in the pairs figure skating round.  They were going to attempt a move that had never been done in Olympic competition.  The program was going smoothly as they moved into the throw – and then suddenly everything went wrong.  She came down hard, one leg went backwards, the other bent as she landed squarely on her knee.  You could tell she was hurt, her face scrunched up in a heart wrenching grimace.  The camera went to the couple from Russia who had experienced near tragedy on the ice before.  They stood there in horror, watching their own nightmare re-enacted.   The fallen skater got up slowly, clearly favoring that left knee as her partner helped her across the ice to their coach.  She was in tears, obviously in great pain.  But then something happened.  She flexed her knees, holding steadily to the rails.  And then I watched pure Olympic magic kick in.  To the astonishment of the announcers and the crowd, the couple went back onto the ice.  As the music began, they skated around a little, waiting for the place in the program where they had left off.  They finished their program.  Not only did she jump, but she allowed him to pick her up and throw her again.  Oh, not the original move, but a toss anyway.  I teared up as I watched her dig deep down and find the courage to do it again – and it must have taken courage to let herself be thrown in the air once more.  Now bear with me here, because in a weird way this does have a writing point.  How many times have we “thrown” something out there only to be shot down?  And how many times have we just laid there stunned?  She could have easily and understandably given up, but she didn’t because this was her dream.  I know that I have often taken the easy road when it came to my writing, letting difficulties get in the way of my dream.  This frail, slight slip of a girl taught me a lesson in life last night.  When you get thrown for a loop, when you fall flat on your face – no matter the pain it causes, somehow you have to pick yourself up and struggle on for that dream.  Oh, in case you’re wondering, they won the Silver Medal. 

You know how small the lettering can be at the bottom of a TV screen? Well, the name is Zhang, not Zhong - looked like an "o" to me.

I didn't see it live - but later on highlights - looked awful - made the DH cringe (several times) what a great triumph!

Happy Valentine's Day

I didn't see it, but it brings a tear to the eye just reading about it. You're right; we must keep struggling on for that dream.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Okay - this was weird but the emails telling me that there had been responses were in my bulk files - good thing I check them before I delete.
Very inspiring.

I saw on highlights this morning. You are so right about picking yourself up after life throws you for a loop. After the car accident I was in when I was 16 the doctors gave me only a twenty percent chance to move anything below my neck. It took me more than a year of physical therapy but I regained quite a bit of the use of my arms. To a lot of people that may not sound like much but to me it has made it possible to do things like use the computer and meet great people like everyone here.

And I, for one, am quite happy that you are here! Have a wonderful day Susan

So inspiring! I love big sporting events, I love the emotion and the courage and the surprises and just everything about it!!! Yes Eve, take those bad experiences and make yourself stronger--we've all had the downers, time to experience some of the highs!!!

Yeah, and you and Dennie are riding that high now. Hey everyone - go over to Dennie's blog and see the blurb on Toni's book! Link to the right.

Morning...I am home and tired this morning...talk to you later...it will be another very busy week for me.

Thanks for letting me stay with you last weekend I had a very relaxing weekend!

Glenice - glad you made it home - go to sleep - I know I'm about to.

Hey folks - check out the change on the website (I'm not done updating, but look anyway) - if you don't come through that way - link to the right under things to do!

I was watching last night when the Chinese pair took the ice. The segment about the Russian pair have run earlier, and here we were watching another horrible fall on the ice.

The Olympics are full of astonishing feats of courage in the face of defeat (the downhill crashes). But to watch it in real time, the struggle to deal with the pain, what's the extent of the injury, can we rise above this and go on? For the Chinese pair last night the answer was "yes, we are going to get back up and get back on the ice." What a testament to the Olympic spirit! They were winners the moment she made the decission to go on with the program.

God bless them and all that compete. That their courage and fortitude would carry them to all that God has for them. And for us, that we know that all things are possible, if we will just believe and trust in the gifts and talents we have been given. God bless you all!

Yes Susie - I'm so happy that I actually caught that in "real time" - it was magnificent. What a true testament.

Yes, that last Chinese team was VERY inspiring! I was so pleased they got a standing ovation after they were finished, too.

Missed the Olympics so far. Happy Valentines Everybody.

No TV! And I love the figure skating! I really miss it. I've seen several incidents like this and it always amazes me how they can even think of continuing.
Unfortunately, I'm one of those stupid people who is easily discouraged by the least little thing--well not quite least little--but easily discouraged anyway.

I can remember in one competition, a Canadian pair was doing a lift when something went wrong and she came down on her head. The whole audience was horrified as was probably everyone that like me was watching at home. When they went to the boards to talk to their coach, you could see she was dazed. In spite of that, they continued their program and finished it. However, I think that was their last public performance. Her partner had had a serious head injury previously and after she had her fall she told reporters later that she couldn't remember doing the program. I think any star athlete, especially in potentially dangerous sports, has to be very, very tough and very motivated. You wonder how often they hit the ice before they even come close to perfecting a move. The lifts and tosses can be practiced on those huge matresses but the time comes when they have to be done on the ice. Kudos to all those skaters. And I'm glad their Russian competitors realized and showed the horror they felt. The athletes must sympathize with each other after all.

Susan, I really applaud your courage as well. I have a nephew who had a stroke at 25. The whole right side of his brain was just mush. Fortunately, he was young enough so that the left side of his brain was able to compensate a little. So from being totally paralyzed on his left side, he got back to walking--somewhat awkwardly to be sure--and can lift his left arm a bit. He has no movement in his left hand and lower arm. However, he lives alone in an apartment with his two cats and has learned to fend for himself. None of us thought he would even make it through. But both you and he did. Testaments to human

What happened to my for Valentine's Day? Have a happy day, everyone.

Wow, I'll have to review that on the TiVo tonight if my wife didn't delete it. What an excellent story.

Happy V-Day Eve.

Great story and you're right, you have to dig deep and keep going.

We don't watch the Olympics. Sorry, not sports people. However, the story of the pair is very encouraging. What a good example for our young people. If at first you don't succeed...... Happy Valentine's Day.

Jennifer - I had missed it up to that point too (for some odd reason - guess I was busy), but I'm glad I had it on last night.
Brandy - yes, a wonderful example.
Ruby - I, too, get easily discouraged - or maybe just too tired, either way - I'm going to try to dig down and find that reserve I used to have.
Scott - I hope she didn't delete it - everyone should have a chance to see it if they can.
Tori - I knew you would see it.
Jordan - that's wjy it hit me - I thought it would be a great story for the blog - a lot more inspirational than my weekend - which was good! Will tell everyone about it tomorrow.

Wow, I wish I'd seen it. We still have it on Tivo so we'll try to get caught up. Excellent application to writing, too.

Watch it Joely - it's worth it!
Are you doing better today?

Oh Wow! I got chills!!!! I wish I'd seen it. What a great story. Thanks for sharing doll!

Yeah, these Olympics are giving me all sorts of blogging ideas - but I have to blog about the weekend tomorrow.

Loved the story, Eve. Very inspiring. :)

My wife didn't delete it, and I watched it last night. That is one tough little girl. The whole surrounding drama added to the effect. I thought the Russians had just as inspiring of a story, so it really made me happy they won. The Chinese coach came from a storied background too. All around, this could be a movie.

Ooh- now I have chills just from reding about it. Belated Happy V-day!

Yay! Glad there was a happy ending. And, yes, hard as it is we must climb back up on that horse and keep at it. Difference is, she had to do it right there in front of national TV! :-( Poor thing.

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