(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
I love watching the gymnasts. (Though it’s not something I have ever done.)
Me too Julie!
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! 😉
I’m with you on Downton Abbey:))
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.
Wow so maybe you played basketball instead?
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? 🙂
Yes I did Corinne. Thanks!
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!!
Thank you Eli!
…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 🙂
I didn’t realize Nadia had her own television show…
🙂 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?
Thank you! I am working on final edits now. Hope to have the book published before year end!
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 😀
haha. I too excelled at Farmville…
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 =)
Watching the Olympics together as a family is one of the best parts.
Enjoyed the blog, and I am looking forward to the Olympics. Nadia was the best.
That requires electricity, right?
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!
That’s my plan Colene!
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!
That’s pretty cool Robin! I love the gymnastics too.
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!
Hopefully before the end of the year!
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.
A parenting job I suppose:)
I’m glad I got to know your blog thru Write Tribe! 🙂
I love watching gymnasts and figure skating. They are grace in motion!
Thank you! Write Tribe has been great for bringing writers together.
This is a great reminder that the winter Olympics start tonight! So excited!!! Thank you!
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. ♥
I’m with you Kathy:))
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!
Thank you Gina!
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 !
Thank you Sid!
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.
Yes a new one:)) Thanks Dorothy.