This week a new Phelps book tour hit the rounds of daytime/primetime tv. It wasn't about Mike's new swim techniques, or anectdotes about Herman. It was from Debbie Phelps, or DP. I sometimes refer to her as Momma Phelps. "A Mother For All Seasons" is DPs debut as a writer.
What can be said about DP? On the one hand, she's just like every other mom in this world who would protect her kids from any kind of danger. Moms who worry about making the best decisions for their children. Those who fight with the choice between wanting to hover and knowing to back off and let the kids choose things for themselves. Then the agony of watching the kids suffer through bad decisions.
On the other hand, she's one of a handful of mothers who had a strong hand in raising truly unique individuals. Those people who make record books and secure a place in human history. Although DP wasnt swimming in the pool during all those swim meets, she helped provide the secure foundation that Whitney, Hilary, and Michael needed to feel confident to go out into the world and do their best.
To see your children succeed in something they love and acknowledge their mom as inspiration for it, is a wonderful thing. My mom watched during the 100 fly, and she smiled because she saw DP and said that's how she felt whenever my brother or I did something she didn't expect that made her proud. http://www.2008.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0814_hd_mul_au_l1676&channelcode=sportsw
I know there are many, many people who do not have that kind of support from either one, or both parents. But as I said above, EVERY mother teaches lessons. Sometimes those lessons are how NOT to do things.
To see your children succeed in something they love and acknowledge their mom as inspiration for it, is a wonderful thing. My mom watched during the 100 fly, and she smiled because she saw DP and said that's how she felt whenever my brother or I did something she didn't expect that made her proud. http://www.2008.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0814_hd_mul_au_l1676&channelcode=sportsw
I know there are many, many people who do not have that kind of support from either one, or both parents. But as I said above, EVERY mother teaches lessons. Sometimes those lessons are how NOT to do things.
I think Debbie Phelps is one of many mothers who set their priorities early and dedicated their lives to their children. That means they constantly fight to provide for the family. It was wonderful to see her and her juniors (WP and HP) cry and cheer and celebrate such a wonderful chapter in American and their family's history. Everyone sees that, but they didn't see when DP had to deal with any problems her kids had. People didn't see the struggles she had to endure, or those moments when she had to be strict and unmoving about her rules. But in the end, it was simply a mother's love that kept everything going and eventually led to so many wonderful things.
You see that love whenever she talks about her kids, grandkids, and school kids. You hear that love whenever someone tries to attack her kids and their choices.
So I salute my mother along with Debbie Phelps, and the millions of mothers all around this planet who are going through so much to help protect their children and teach them confidence and charity and love. Without those women, we would not be where we are today.
So I salute my mother along with Debbie Phelps, and the millions of mothers all around this planet who are going through so much to help protect their children and teach them confidence and charity and love. Without those women, we would not be where we are today.
