After church last Sunday, I was chatting with a man who worked at the Glenwood Resource Center and had helped out with the Special Olympics in years past. He told me that it was a great opportunity, and that I should really plan on seeing an event or two.
“I’ll have to do that,” I answered. I hadn’t even considered attending an event before–I’d been more concerned with staying out of prime traffic areas when visitors might be swarming. Campus tends to be a zoo when we host events like this. But attending an event…that sounded like a nice diversion.
I mused almost to myself at dinner whether my former coworker Daniel might be competing in the power lifting competition. When we were working together, he’d gone to Beijing to compete–so I knew he took part in the Special Olympics.
I wasn’t expecting a response from anyone, but Dad answered me anyway. Yes, Daniel would be competing.
I asked if Dad had a schedule of events. He said he didn’t–at least not a specific schedule. I made a mental note, hoping to look it up.
I forgot.
But this morning Dad texted me a web address where they were live streaming the power lifting events.
I sat in my chair in front of my computer with my embroidery in hand and watched the event until my internet connection went wonky.
“I’ll just go out,” I thought. It isn’t that far and I was planning on riding with Joanna today anyway. Maybe she wouldn’t mind making that our destination.
Joanna being amenable, we rode to UNL’s Kimball Hall and sat and talked (about liturgy and church calendars and altar cloths–of all things) until the program was to start. It turned out the award ceremony was later than I thought I’d heard the announcer say (I had a bit of difficulty understanding her thick Southern accent), so Joanna had to leave before the ceremony.
But I was able to sit and cheer for Daniel and others from far and wide as they collected their medals. Daniel won four gold medals and one silver–and set a personal best record on the bench press! Go, Daniel!
Whether it was just excitement over his day’s successes or true pleasure in seeing me, I got a giant hug from Daniel once I managed to break through the crowd to congratulate him afterward.
It was so nice to cheer and to support Daniel, who for a couple of years was my head dish-man and still holds a special place in my heart. My church informant was absolutely right–the Special Olympics are a blast!