Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
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There is something about watching the moment of accomplishment that brings us joy. Maybe it’s the expression on the face of the achiever, the exuberant response of the audience, the completion of the work leading up to the moment—there is something about watching that moment that fills the human spirit with great joy.
Our lives are filled with moments of accomplishment from the time we are born. Do you remember the look on your baby’s face when she first learned to stand on her own? Did you clap and cheer when your baby son took his very first steps? Did your heart overflow when your child first learned to ride a bike without training wheels? Did you hold your breath the first time your little one jumped into a pool and swam alone for the first time? Did you take pictures when your child first got on a school bus, or put on a dance costume or sports uniform? Did you cry at middle school Moving Up Day, or High School or College Graduation?
Milestone moments of accomplishment are a reason to rejoice, even if we experience a flood of different emotions when they occur.
The games of the thirtieth Olympiad have come to a close, but they were filled with so many moments of triumph that were simply amazing to watch. America had so many historic moments of victory and accomplishment, that it is truly hard to select a single favorite. Even watching the host nation cheer, as their athletes excelled in record numbers, was an exceptional joy.
Although South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius did not medal, who among us could not rejoice at the accomplishment of this amazing young runner as the world’s first Olympic double-amputee, participating in the regular games? According to African correspondent Rohit Kachroo, Pistorius’ victory was already his — “whatever the result” for having overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to participate in the Olympic Games.
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt is always a crowd favorite, with his signature victory pose. How could you help but smile, as he once again proved himself worthy of the title “the world’s fastest man”?
If I had to pick just one favorite Olympic moment of accomplishment that demonstrated supreme joy, it would be the world record setting, gold medal winning, victory of the American women’s 400 meter relay team. Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter shattered the world record that had stood for 27 years, completing the race in just 40.82 seconds. Carmelita’s face burst into the most exuberant smile, before she crossed the finish line pointing to the world record scoreboard.
This team not only finished triumphantly, but they also overcame the doubts and fears, that failures of past relay teams had cast on them, going into these games. American women had not won this race since 1996, and this team overcame the doubts of others around them by running a near perfect race.
Hearing Carmelita say, in the interview immediately following, that “everyone said (they’re, not gonna win), they’re going to drop the stick ... but we did it!” gave us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with them and enjoy the picture of all four of these amazing young women proudly displaying the American flags held high around them.
I will savor the joy of these Olympic moments of accomplishments, for many years to come, and will draw from them hope and inspiration in many days going forward. I hope you will too!
Jackie Davis is an Inspirational Vocalist, Musician and Speaker with over twenty years of television broadcast experience. You can contact her at jjd.22344@yahoo.com
