Special Olympics in Colorado

Our family went up to Loveland Colorado yesterday morning

because our son, Dean was competing in Special Olympics Swimming.

Dean participates in SO in all kinds of sports
and it's always fun to watch him
and the rest of the athletes there.

  

These athletes are so sweet--

they hug one another

they cheer each other along

and it's just a privilege to be around these

lovely athletes.

Besides the athletes,
the most important people there,
are the Volunteers--
most of them are college kids.
The Volunteers make the Special Olympics
happen.
As you may see in the pics,
the volunteers give so much support to
the athletes,

it's inspiring to watch.

There was a family there in the stands

of probably more than 20 people,

all there to support and cheer on "Uncle Steve"--

he was easily in his 50's--

and this family was not shy about their love for Uncle Steve--

they brought posters even,

-- everyone in the arena

knew who Uncle Steve was before we left.

That pic right there is his family.

It was awesome.

That's what's so great about Special Olympics--

these athletes bring out the goodness 
in the rest of us.

We all cheer together 

for every single athlete.

I cheer for every mother's child there

and I heard their cheers for mine.

 --

 Getting ready for his heat.

 See the 2 Johns?  That's Dean...he was in second at first,

but lost his steam on the return lap. Boy! were we hollering his name loud!

It was great!

 

 On the Winners Platform

 

I love that boy.  

Thanks to all the Volunteers!
We couldn't have done it without 

YOU!