Many people around the world, including myself were glued to the television coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympic games the past two weeks.  I enjoyed watching most of the sporting events and learning more about the life stories of athletes who are ‘the best of the best’.  Their hard work and dedication are an inspiration to us all.  In most cases, they train 8 hours a day, 6 days a week for an event that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.  In that brief period of time, they are judged and will find out if they will be going back home with a gold, silver or bronze medal or just a lot of memories.  This was the case for Olympic medal hopeful, Ellen Gandy.

“London 2012 Olympics: grieving for my broken dream but the swimming team still needs me, says Ellen Gandy”

An excerpt from an article from the London Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/swimming/9442628/London-2012-Olympics-grieving-for-my-broken-dream-but-the-swimming-team-still-needs-me-says-Ellen-Gandy.html

“I went straight up to my parents and my coach and had a good long cry.”

While I watching the television coverage of the Olympics, I was often reminded of the ABC Wide World of Sports tag line from many years ago, ‘The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat’.  Grief Hope Network recognizes that everyone’s grief is unique and challenging.  We’ll have some good days and bad days.  Celebrate the days when you feel like you’ve won a medal in the grief Olympics.  And reach out to professionals or members as part of our online grief support, when you feel like you’ve been disqualified.  Hopefully in time you’ll feel like Ellen Gandy, “I am determined to come back stronger, to not let that be my lasting memory of the Games.”

When I watched the closing ceremonies, I thought of Michael Phelps when he quoted Dr Suess.  “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” I hope this resonates with you when you’re thinking of your loved one.