I can still remember the first second I held my little girl in my arms. All that time waiting and waiting (…and waiting an extra 10 days!!), imagining her little face, her cries, who she would look like… and not once did I truly understand just what was in store for me.
Complete and total love.
I knew at that second that everything I would do in my life, would be for and about my daughter. Now, as I watch my baby girl turn into a beautiful kindergartner, I have promised myself that I would be there for her through any course she chooses. Being a mom, isn’t just about taking care of someone… it’s about giving them your everything and being there to cheer them on regardless of whether they win or lose. When my daughter asked us to have swim lessons this past year, I was terrified. My girl was 4 and I wanted nothing to ever hurt her…but, we made it happen and my husband and I were always there on the sidelines cheering her on. She may not be ready for the Olympics yet, but it gives her such pride to say she knows how to swim and it makes my heart swell.
As I sat and watched the opening ceremonies tonight, I thought about all the athletes mothers and the joy they must be feeling right at that moment. As moms, we are our children’s biggest fans and supporters. That’s why P&G launched their “Thank you, Mom” campaign, which honors everything that mothers do to help their children succeed throughout life. In honor of the 2012 London Olympic Games, P&G is partnering with the amazing moms behind the Olympic athletes – one of those moms is Ondina Lopez. Last week, I, along with several other latina moms, got a chance to speak to her, mother of not just one Olympian, but FOUR.
Ondina Lopez is the mom of London 2012 Olympic Games hopefuls Steven and Diana Lopez, and is the heart of the “First Family of Taekwondo”. Her children, Steven, Jean, Mark and Diana are at the world elite level in Taekwondo. Steven, Mark and Diana made history when they each won gold at the 2005 World Taekwondo Championships, becoming the first three siblings in any sport to claim World Championship titles at the same event.
Ondina has always supported her children in their pursuit of Taekwondo. The kids used to practice in the garage, and during the winter she would run the dryer when they were practicing to help warm the garage, and would bring them ice and water during the summer. When we spoke to her last week, she stated that even know, she worries about her children, though she tries not to show it and wishes them luck. She would never bear to watch their matches because her nerves were just going crazy but she promised she would travel to the 08 Olympics if they all made it in…
And all three (her oldest coaches the younger siblings) of them did! So she knew she had to fulfill her end of the deal and traveled with her children to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This year, her son Steven will be competing in the 80kg division at this year’s Games. Crest & Oral-B Complete have also partnered with Steven’s mother, Ondina López, to highlight the importance mom’s support can play in an athlete’s success.
When asked about the cost of supporting her Olympian family, Ondina was very direct and stated, “If you have to work 3 jobs to support your kids to achieve their dreams, do it!” I believe that’s true too. Check out the video below of Ondina talking about her children.
To learn more about P&G Oral Care Olympic Games partnership, make sure you “Like” Crest on Facebook.
Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Crest and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
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