The airbus A-380 is a monster of a plane-it's new and nice and offers lots of entertainment, but still, 14 hrs staying in one spot is not easy. I usually don't sleep on flights but did this time-maybe passed out is more accurate. Not comfortable sleep, but it did erase an hour of conscious travel here and there. After touching down at JFK, I had the honor of leading the athletics team, now a cohesive family, thru the airport (with cops escorting us) to awaiting buses. Some other travelers snapped pictures of us and we heard some congratulations as well. Hard to hide (our pride) when we all are wearing matching SOUSA gear.
Once back in NJ and our hotel for the night, it was time to change over from sport to state mode. I always hate this moment. No one is ready to leave the team they have been so close to for the past 2 1/2 weeks, no matter who their state traveling companions may be. I wanted to have one last good bye for the team. It took some athlete wrangling, but we assembled at the end of the hall and accepted the fact that this would be it. As it dawned on athletes (and coaches), eyes started to get wet. I said as profound of things as I could muster as head coach and then each coach took a turn at their thoughts as we were about to wrap it all up. It always comes way too fast and too soon it seems. Though they were then released to dinner to meet their state folks, no one rushed. They shouldn't. Far too many hugs to be given and received. The group lingered for quite a while, not wanting to go to their state table but at some point each athlete scattered. Some we'd see in the morning- some not, and most never again.
The coaches had their moment as well. I couldn't ask for a better staff and a few toasts and thank yous acknowledged that at our late night gathering. Most of us would have to be up and heading to the airport after a couple hours sleep so it was short. Unlike the athletes, we did have a glimmer of hope to work together again-not all of us, but hopefully some. There are always coaches who get world games in their blood (I'm guilty) and long to return and others who are happy with a one and done. They all contribute something special to the team and I'm grateful.
It's now post games day 4. All my SOUSA gear is washed and ready to be stored and most of my unpacking in the basement is done. It seems I tend to leave some of it go for a long time-maybe just to hold onto a few memories of where our team was and what they did. I'm kind of a sucker for not letting go too soon. Now with social media, a few athletes have been busy chatting it up between themselves and coaches. Some have had a hard time returning to "civilian" life. Others dove right into their home state or agency Special Olympics sports without hardly taking a breath. Same for a few of the coaches. For me, a couple days at work was a reality check and then some lingering business to wrap up from these games, which is okay. Sweden is the next World Winter Games and then Berlin for summer way down the road in 2023. I'd be lying if I said I don't think ahead to those. I love my role on Team USA and now SO USA-as a coach and as a head coach in both winter and summer games. I recall vividly in 2001, at my first World games in Alaska, standing on a ski trail at Kincaid Park pausing for a moment and just thinking, "this is where I belong-this is what I love doing." It's been nearly 2 decades since that moment and 9 world games and that feeling hasn't changed. And that is a good thing.... for I think I make a difference.
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