A view from Normal

Normal, IL., that is. The stunningly patient SML and I find ourselves in the bustling (not) metropolis of Normal, IL., this weekend to be a part of the Illinois Special Olympics Summer Games. CAL is also here but just not with us. We are here as a part of a larger contingent of about 150 from our Church, who are all here to volunteer as a part of a summer youth conference. They are spending two days with the special olympians. We're here to simply help out.

We are not with them tonight. The kids are all staying at a YWCA with some of the other chaperones, but we drew the line at a restless, sleepless night of bunking on a gym floor, trying to keep the kids separated. So we are glad to be at a hotel - the lovely Courtyard Normal after a really long day - but a good one.

We left Chicagoland this morning and got here about 930AM. After getting sorted, we headed over to Illinois State University, the venue for the Games. With a few of the kids, we were assigned to working the awards at the standing long jump. We would be handing out awards to about 240 athletes. We quickly discovered that the Games had one problem - too many volunteers. So we found that we repeated a lot of tasks through many people in order to give everyone a chance to serve the athletes. In the end, it seemed to work out.

Now, a word or two about the experience. I've railed at length before about how outrageous I think it is that we've created a world, particularly in youth sports, where everyone gets a trophy, regardless of their participation. How many of our children have token trophies simply because they made it to all their games? Far too many if you ask me. Anyway, I am more than willing to eat my words when it comes to the athletes at these games. Each one of them deserves every ribbon or medal that they are given. It's clear that some of have trained and worked hard while others are there for the social interaction. Every one of these athletes brought a smile to my face, and more than a couple of tears. The stunningly patient SML and I both found ourselves with tears in our eyes as medals were placed around our winners' necks. Their joy was contagious and infectious. The high-fives flew as did the occasional unexpected hug. Watching their excitement made you feel like the world is actually OK.

Looking forward to another day at the Games and time with our Church youth. More opportunities to see that world is OK. But for, now, man I'm glad we've got a king-sized bed in a hotel room to fall into rather than the gym floor!