In which I learn why it’s not a good idea to try and relive the glory days

I am going through a bit of Olympic withdrawal and find myself making more sports analogies than normal. Please forgive, but have I mentioned I’m showing classic signs of withdrawal? This will pass. I promise.

Paul was on to something when he said press on to the goal and to run the race set before you.

Four years ago a new Olympic sport was born leading up to the Beijing Olympics. Trying to fill time before dinner one evening and tired of running around, pretending we were hurdlers over the croquet course, I challenged Niece One (age 7 at the time) and Niece Two (5) to the new sport of Olympic Lawn Laying.  You may not have heard of it, but it is a contest to see who can lay the longest in the lawn without lifting any part of the body. Yes, color me inspired. Well, this turned out to be a real contest as we tried to distract one another into sitting up and even had an injury time out, thanks to Niece Three (3), who flung herself on to us. However, an actual world record was set as …. drum roll … we made it 54 minutes! and would have gone for a full 60 minutes if “Girls, dinner,” hadn’t been called.

Needless to say, this has become part of Young Family Lore. Oh the glory days of Lawn Laying Olympics! Oh the cleverness and stamina!

Another desperate day came this summer when I found myself out of energy, but not out of time. Ladies, let’s have a rematch and see if we can beat our time! They roared a resounding YES, but joy was fleeting as we couldn’t get into position without touching (read annoying) each other. This was not an auspicious beginning.

The stop watch started. Instead of adding to family lore, the magic of the previous Olympics passed us by.’

People were bored. People gave up. People annoyed their sisters and their aunt.

Pressing on for the goal, not looking back. Not putting new wine in old wine skins. Leaving something a wonderful memory and not trying to spoil it by forcing a recreation. Yup, that’s one for the books!