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I was no Nadia Comaneci.

February 6, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 39 Comments

Nadia Comaneci

(this is a snippet from my book…)

In 1976 when Nadia Comaneci floated through each gymnastic routine with grace and control and filled her suitcase full of gold medals, I knew I was in big trouble. Nadia and I were the same age. She scored perfect 10 after perfect 10, and so far I’d done nothing remarkable.

“Why can’t you do something like that?” Daddy pointed at the television from his place on the couch.”  

“I don’t know, I just can’t. My body isn’t made that way.” I slunk down in the chair and stared at the leftover popcorn kernels in my bowl. I still couldn’t do a very good round off, although I practiced every afternoon.

Daddy shook his head and smirked. “Maybe if you didn’t sit around after school watching television…”

“Well I know one thing. In 1980 when the next Olympics comes, I’ll be a senior. I’ll be graduating and getting married and watching television in my own house.”

Everyone stared at my revelation.

I was shocked by my revelation.

Even Nadia seemed to pause and gape at me through the television screen.

“No you won’t. You’ll be going to college,” Daddy said.

“Oh yeah, that’s true,”  I remembered. Even so, I couldn’t wait until 1980.

 

Grace Grits and Gardening

Musical Pairing:

Nadia Comaneci – Perfect Ten

Filed Under: Memories Tagged With: 1976 Montreal Olympics, Gymnastics, Nadia Comaneci, The Olympics

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Comments

  1. Julie says

    February 6, 2014 at 7:35 am

    I love watching the gymnasts. (Though it’s not something I have ever done.)

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Me too Julie!

      Reply
  2. Pary Moppins says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:03 am

    My daughter is so excited about the ice skating and hockey. I have been told that the Olympics must be taped everyday. What she doesn’t know, is that if it conflicts with my DVR prgramming of “Castle,” “Downton Abbey,” or “Elementary” we will have to catch the highlights on YouTube! 😉

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:15 am

      I’m with you on Downton Abbey:))

      Reply
  3. Stephanie Daigneault says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I wanted to be a gymnast, started when I was 4, when I was 7 I grew way to tall too fast and they told my parents I was going to be too tall. True, I was 5’8 by the 5th grade and landed at 5’11 by HS. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted and made me a fan for life.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Wow so maybe you played basketball instead?

      Reply
  4. Corinne Rodrigues says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:31 am

    I think my Dad knew better than to point me in that direction – besides we had no TV then! But you scored a perfect 10 in life, didn’t you? 🙂

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:16 am

      Yes I did Corinne. Thanks!

      Reply
  5. Eli says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:36 am

    Hi Talya! You have a beautiful blog! This was a nicely written piece! Funny to read about your dad! I can so relate- flashback to the amazing Nadia Comaneci!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:16 am

      Thank you Eli!

      Reply
  6. Rainbow Hues says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:38 am

    …and then what happened? Would love to know more

    BTW: I loved Nadia…as I child there used to be show on TV by her name which was her biography. I loved watching that…was so inspiring 🙂

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:16 am

      I didn’t realize Nadia had her own television show…

      Reply
  7. Vidya Sury says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:39 am

    🙂 I get it. I guess we’ve all gone through a time when our folks asked us why we weren’t like someone else. I had that with my music.

    Talya, I know I look forward to reading your book! When do you plan to publish?

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:17 am

      Thank you! I am working on final edits now. Hope to have the book published before year end!

      Reply
  8. Shilpa Garg says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:41 am

    Back then, my relation with sports was like that of cheese and chalk. But then God has His mysterious ways of balancing, He ensured that I did superbly well in Facebook games like FarmVille and other online games 😀

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:18 am

      haha. I too excelled at Farmville…

      Reply
  9. Addie says

    February 6, 2014 at 8:58 am

    My aunt always watched the Olympics and when I was growing up she would say she wanted to see me ice skating in the olypics one day. That never happened, but she did help grow my love and respect for watching those amazing athletes compete from all over the world =)

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 9:18 am

      Watching the Olympics together as a family is one of the best parts.

      Reply
  10. Barbara Tate says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:20 am

    Enjoyed the blog, and I am looking forward to the Olympics. Nadia was the best.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 10:07 am

      That requires electricity, right?

      Reply
  11. Colene says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:40 am

    You may not have been a 10 in gymnastics but you are a 10 in many other ways! It would be great to have your book published and promoted in time for Christmas gifts! Loved this post!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 10:08 am

      That’s my plan Colene!

      Reply
  12. Robin says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:47 am

    I always loved to watch the gymnastics competition. When I started teaching here in Osceola they had a team and I actually helped the coach for a while. I then became a judge for a while. I even got to judge the Arkansas state meet one year. It was great!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 10:08 am

      That’s pretty cool Robin! I love the gymnastics too.

      Reply
  13. Martha Orlando says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:52 am

    Loved this snippet from your book, Talya! When will it be released?
    I’ve always loved watching gymnastics, but could never do any of it – just not built that way. 🙂
    Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 10:08 am

      Hopefully before the end of the year!

      Reply
  14. Kalpana Solsi says

    February 6, 2014 at 9:59 am

    All parents point out that their kids would be better off if they are not idling.
    I loved Nadia for her supple and rubber-like body and of course her perfect 10.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 10:09 am

      A parenting job I suppose:)

      Reply
  15. Pixie says

    February 6, 2014 at 10:02 am

    I’m glad I got to know your blog thru Write Tribe! 🙂

    I love watching gymnasts and figure skating. They are grace in motion!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 10:09 am

      Thank you! Write Tribe has been great for bringing writers together.

      Reply
  16. Diane says

    February 6, 2014 at 10:44 am

    This is a great reminder that the winter Olympics start tonight! So excited!!! Thank you!

    Reply
  17. Kathy says

    February 6, 2014 at 11:32 am

    I am always in complete awe of all the athletes but never once did I ever contemplate that I would ever be able to do any of the things they did so easily on television because I am me. LOL Just not that athletic. I am more an artsy fartsy writer type. My daughter is the same way. My son…well he is adventurous but not necessarily athletic. Different strokes for different folks. ♥

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 6, 2014 at 3:10 pm

      I’m with you Kathy:))

      Reply
  18. gina says

    February 6, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    I still have dreams of being the next Nadia. My waistline doesn’t have such dreams! Lovely piece. I love little snippets of your life!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 8:16 am

      Thank you Gina!

      Reply
  19. Sid says

    February 6, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Lovely post Talya. A perfect 10 in life is what matters the most, and as far as I can make out from your blog, you seem to be have achieved that already 🙂 Welcome to the tribe !

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 8:16 am

      Thank you Sid!

      Reply
  20. Dorothy Johnson says

    February 7, 2014 at 6:44 am

    Is this one of the new ones? I don’t remember it. It’s powerful. Beautiful job of writing, short and clean, yet conveys so much.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 7, 2014 at 8:16 am

      Yes a new one:)) Thanks Dorothy.

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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