washwords

The image of “Lolo” hitting that 9th hurdle, losing the gold and decades of work in a millisecond (literally), and falling to the ground in despair, keeps coming back to me.

[Photo on flickr by “horsepower and heels.”]

Likewise, Shawn Johnson’s parents’ tearful embrace, her bright-eyed bobbing smile, and Debbie Phelps’ hurrah-ing off her chair can’t help making me smile and tear up for a different reason.

The worst question a sports reporter can ask may be “So how did it feel to ______?” (Insert “fall off the balance beam/ score the winning goal/miss the tying kick.)

But the thing is, how DOES it feel? To put so much into one thing, one moment? Is it worth it? Does it last? Not the endorsements and the money, which surely is great… does the glow last, does the feeling of accomplishment?

When I’ve had feats of glory, in my smaller world – getting something published, winning a prize in school, receiving praise at work – I feel glowy for … usually about an hour to a day. Then I do remember the moment, stacked in some mental list of accomplishments I logically know are there, but I don’t FEEL it. The minor slips (the embarrassing mistakes, the not trying hard enough, the putting eggs in the wrong basket)… seem to last longer, proportionally. Why?

Washwords’ Writing Prompt: How long do your missed hurdles last? What do your getting-the-gold moments feel like? Which do you carry with you and why or how? Leave your micro essays below as comments or email me.