Olympic Dreams

[SwimTeamSpeedo]

I thank all of you for your kind words on Olympic Dreams, whether here or sent to me private message. This was a fun story to write and to to tell you it simply flowed would be an under-statement. Jimmy and Greg are the penultimate reflection of the best of Zach and Ryan. There is so much of Zach in Greg, so much of both Zach and Ryan in Jimmy, and in both there is so much of my real life most cherished God son. Greg had so much to share, and Jimmy had the inspiration to never give up. I hope they inspired you as much as they inspired me. In some way, I learned from my own characters.

I started this story on a whim, a plan to do a few chapters about swimming. It was intended to fill a gap before I came up with something else. Then magical happened. In all, this tale was over 60 pages long.

Finally, I have come more deeply with my age to appreciate the brave young men and women who defend our nation, deeper so after 9/11 and then with great personal emotion after the Boston Marathon bombings (I ran Boston seven times). No matter who we are, all of our nations have one thing in common, our best and brightest young men and women are the ones we count on to stand in harms way. They are the protectors of what we all hold dear. Jimmy's act of bravery was my subtle tribute to the bravest of our brave, regardless of nation. I admire them every single day.

This will be me last story for a while, maybe forever. I am not sure. I don't know how I top Jimmy and Greg. They are the next generation we all aspire to be.

Thanks for reading,

So Long,

STS