Drifting 32,000 feet up in the air is a bit of a norm for me. This time,however, my destination is anything but normal. I am about to play bikes on the biggest stage of my life.
I have been boiling over with excitement for the Paralympics ever since joining my teammates in a hotel room in Carson,CA to watch the Olympic’s Opening Ceremonies. The images of athletes walking into the stadium and later competing in front of the world snapped the blurry image of just what I had accomplished with making the team. It was clear.
Over the past few weeks between the last painful training sessions,I have found myself caught up in the visions of my family cheering from the stands,the serene peace of the starting gate count down amidst the chaos of the noise,and the smallness of being one of 4,200 chosen to represent his/her country in front of the World. I cannot wait for these visions to be attached to a touch,a smell,a sound;I am eager to bring them alive.
Over the course of the Games it is my desire to attempt to bring these dreams alive in words as I experience the sight,sounds and emotions of the Paralympics for the first time. My hope is that in some small way,it may inspire us all to dream bigger and faithfully push through life’s challenges to make our wildest visions the sweetest of memories.