Final Thoughts on National Games

As we get back home and into our regular routine of life, it seems something has changed after last week's experience at National Games? What is it? I think the IT is ME! I have changed because I have been blessed with an experience that showed all that is good with LIFE! The good included 155 athletes, unified partners and coaches from Team Missouri that came together to create MO MAGIC! A little over a year ago we met in Mexico, MO to form this team. No one would have imagined it would become a group of people who not only showed sportmanship, athleticism and HEART! Our Fan shirts read: It takes a little MO HEART! Honesty-Enthusiasm-Accountability-Respect-Teamwork to be a CHAMPION! Their is multiple examples like Flag football playing 9 games in 4 days and winning them all. The volleyball team playing Iowa 3 times and missing the gold medal by one point! The basketball team down by 9 points with less than 3 minutes with a running clock and getting a last second shot that missed to tie the game. The tennis team playing on the hottest day of the week and taking home gold medals. The Powerlifting team taking home 6 gold medals by two very strong men! Swimming, Bocce, Track and Field etc doing the best they could by giving all they had to find success.

I can't forget my golf teammates: Shirlene, Peggy, Richard, Ken, Andy, Mike, Carolyn, Jason, Coach Steve, Coach Debbie and my partner Keith. I got the privilege to know each of these fine people better and I am proud to call them my friends. As we had early morning wake up calls, to dining in the cafeteria, riding the non air conditioned bus to the golf course, playing cards (of course the game we played was card golf) to playing golf with them. Each of these individuals have talents that made the week so enjoyable! I want each of them to know you help make my first experience at the National games the BEST! Thanks teammates!

As I closed this version of my blog I will be continuing my blog on a weekly basis on subjects that I want to talk about. If you are interested in getting this weekly blog please sign up to receive my posts on a weekly basis. To my teammates of MO MAGIC I want each of you to know you are truly CHAMPIONS!

Have a GREAT day!

Gary