2012 Summer Olympic Games, P&G Thank You, Mom: Best Job/Hardest Job Ad

My fascination with the Olympic Games began a long time ago.  Back when the dreams of being an Olympic athlete were beginning to rumble through my small head.  It was 1976.  Montreal, Canada. I was a mere three years old when my parents ran the last kilometer with the Olympic flame, escorting it just before it lit the actual torch that burned the duration of the Summer Olympic games.  They applied for this honor.  In addition to each person who carried the torch, six people were chosen to surround the flame during each portion of its journey.  But at the end, during the final leg, a few dozen – each bearing candles having been lit by the torch, joined the run.  My parents were two of those people.

No, I don’t remember everything.  I can remember the shirts you see us wearing in the picture.  I can remember how beautiful my mother looked in her ponytail and rainbow-colored headband.  I remember how proud my parents were at the time (and still are to this day).  In fact, I know they still have the candles they carried on that run.

Family legend says my swim coach approached my parents when I was six about training me for the Olympic games… my parents apparently told him he would have to explain the commitment to me – the practices, the hours required and then ask me if I wanted to do it. Shockingly, my six year old self wasn’t willing to commit to four hours of practice a day. There went my Olympic dream.

So, instead, I live vicariously… first through other athletes – watching Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games with my mom…. and then in 2010, watching WITH the moms (and as a mom myself) in Vancouver at the P&G Family Home as they held their collective breathes…. waiting as their children competed… ice skating, skiing, hockey, speed skating…  The many hours of practice, the successes, the ‘almosts’….. all whirling through their minds.

Scotty and Shannon Bahrke (Shannon won the Bronze Medal in 2010 for Moguls Skiing)

And with every heart beat then… and every heart beat now, P&G salutes these moms with a simple:

Thank You, Mom.

I was never able to watch P&G’s 2010 Olympic Thank You, Mom ad without crying.  And this new one?  Same Beautiful Result.

Because being a mom really is The Best Job AND the Hardest Job.

[Read more...]

Inspiring ParaOlympian: Caitlin Sarubbi talks Vancouver Experience & Family

I don’t plan to be inspired.  But it does just happen….as is the case with ParaOlympian, Caitlin Sarubbi. How else to describe a young woman who has overcome all odds to become a member of the US Adaptive Ski Team?  Caitie is visually impaired, skis with a guide and qualified for FIVE  alpine events in Vancouver.

[Read more...]

Win a Reunion with your Mom – New BlissTV Episode

Live too far away from your mom and want to be reunited?  Watch to learn how….

[Read more...]

Talking Olympics and “Thank you, Mom” with Silver Medalist Julie Chu

I first met Olympian Julie Chu (women’s hockey!) at the Vancouver Olympics….now with a Silver Medal in hand, Julie chatted with me about her Olympic experience, the luxury of having her family to support her and her gratitude to Procter & Gamble.

[Read more...]

Two of My Olympic Favorites – Shannon & Scotty Bahrke

You would have a hard time finding two Olympians with as much spunk, kindness and love of family as Shannon and Scotty Bahrke – I A.D.O.R.E.D talking to them….watch, you’ll see why.

Procter & Gamble honors Moms with ‘Thank you Mom’ Campaign & Contest

By now you have likely smiled at the many US Olympic victories, teared up as the athletes embraced their families and possibly shed crocodile tears as you watched dreams fall short (or as you witnessed one of Procter & Gamble’s Olympic commercials).  Prepare to feel some more of that magical Olympic emotion as you watch our inaugural BlissTV episode highlighting the P&G Thank you Mom Campaign and Contest.  I am proud to be a part of this project – and even more proud of the beautiful women in this video who share their love for the special moms in their lives.

[Read more...]

Thank You Mom Campaign – Procter and Gamble

Are you ready to get all weepy?  This campaign is the REASON I am going to be at the Olympics for the rest of this week….

ThankYouMom.com – check it out.

And watch for my updates from Vancouver – starting tomorrow!