It starts with just a single figure
Balooning out to all those dancers
Twirling in the drops of light,
A ceremony gluing us together for
A week, a month a year, that opening
Is just the starting point
For a legacy that stretches out for years
And changes lives in precious little ways.
Tonight is the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games which are being held in Birmingham. It is exactly ten years since we held the Olympics in this country and I think we are all hoping that these Games will bring us all together in the same way.
There is something so magical about the opening ceremonies for any kind of games and I remember a decade ago, sitting on my sofa and actually crying as I watched the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.
I’m not normally that soppy, but I’d had a false start on my English Channel swim with the pilot calling me that day to say that I would be swimming the following morning. Unfortunately, the wind picked up and he decided against it so it got pushed back to the following Wednesday.
I went to watch the swimming the next day and I got to see Michael Phelps swim. Again, I cried as the crowd roared and I felt as though I was experiencing something so special.
Those two weeks were incredible and I did spend so much of it crying as my own nerves took a hit waiting for a good window to cross the Channel, and then I also had the joy of watching our athletes smash it at a home games.
I’m sure I’ll spend the next 11 days glued to the action on TV (unfortunately no tickets for me this time), and I hope that I can feel some of that overwhelming emotion I felt a decade ago.
Good luck to everyone competing!
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
Opening ceremonies really are extra-special, aren’t they, Rachel? So much joy and pageantry, and everyone’s all keyed up for a fantastic set of events. I’m happy for you that you got to see Michael Phelps swim – what a talent. Actually, to see any of those world-class athletes do what they do so well must be amazing. Hopefully you’ll have other changes to see the games.
patientandkindlove
The Commonwealths are regularly held in the UK so it’s not such a once in a lifetime opportunity as the Olympics were. I think this one is so special because it’s the first time since we have seen the crowds in so long.
Little Charmer
That bull was AMAZING 🖤
patientandkindlove
I know, and it looks like they have moved it to the city centre so that people can have their photos taken with it!
Little Charmer
I hope it remains there permanently!! 😁🖤
clcouch123
I’m happy you appreciate the beauty and the spirit here (in the Games) and share them so effectively with the rest of us.
patientandkindlove
It is such a spectacle and it does make me feel all warm and fuzzy.