The Gabby Douglas Story Page #5

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a coincidence or luck.

No, sir. Not me.

When an impossible array

of stars all line up

just so one puny, little human can

reach out and grab ahold of her dreams,

it isn't just luck or

a coincidence at work.

It's something much bigger

watching out for you.

Call him, Mom.

I just don't know

how we would do it.

I mean, money's already tight.

And then on top of that...

What are you doing?

I'm calling him for you.

Okay, we walk by faith,

not by sight.

Isn't that what you've

told us our whole lives?

Yes, it is what I've taught you...

It's ringing.

Hi. Yes, this is

Natalie Hawkins.

I'm calling to speak

with Coach Chow.

Sure, sure.

I'll hold.

Yes, of course I remember her.

Hmm.

Mmm-hmm.

No, I understand, not everyone could

just pick up and move to Iowa.

Your daughter's an exceptional athlete.

I would...

Mrs. Hawkins, if you...

Can I just stop

you for a minute?

Believe it or not,

I think I might have a solution for you.

They would let Gabrielle

stay with them?

For two years?

A family might host her.

She would have a place to live.

Um, yeah, I'll talk to her about it

when I pick her up this afternoon.

Okay. All right.

Thank you.

Seriously?

Some family wants

to do something nice.

Oh, my God.

Wow.

That's incredible.

What did I just do?

That whale's never gonna fit.

Okay. So, do you like this sweater,

or do you like this one better?

I don't know, Brie.

Just pick one.

You are not gonna be able

to pack all this stuff.

Ah! I can't believe it.

Breezy, you're really going.

Iowa!

Don't look at me like that.

You're gonna make me cry.

I'm really gonna miss you.

Come here.

I love you.

I love you.

Are you bringing that sweater?

I told you not to pack that.

What do you pack when you're leaving

home for the first time in your life,

and no suitcase in the world is big enough

for what you want to take with you?

You're living my dream.

Do you know that?

So, go up there

and be your best, okay?

Come here.

Bye, Joy.

Gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you more.

John.

Oh, come on.

Don't be like that. Brie. Brie.

He'll call you later.

This is tough for him.

We got to go.

We don't want to miss our flight.

Bye, Zoway.

Don't forget me

when I'm gone, okay?

Where is everything?

Zoway's gonna forget me.

He won't forget you, sweetheart.

Two years is a long time.

Yes, it is.

Coach, watch this!

Nice!

How was my line?

Come on. You did it in competition.

You can do it again.

- Don't step forward.

- Got it, Coach.

Ella, you're about

to dismount. Concentrate.

Gabby. This is my wife, Li.

She'll be coaching you, too.

Welcome, Gabby.

My husband has told me so much about you.

Now that you're here,

what do you think?

Oh, it's...

I can't even say.

But it's what you wanted, right?

I want to go to the Olympics.

And I want to win.

You haven't given us much time.

London is just 22 months away.

I'll give you 100% every day.

I'd like to speak candidly.

Do you mind?

Please.

Every single person you see here has

the same dream, to go to the Olympics.

That little girl,

she's been with me three years now.

Her parents told me that the

first sentence she spoke

was that she wanted

to win at the Olympics.

I believe she'll

get there one day.

And me?

I see the possibility of you getting to

the Olympics, but I can't guarantee it.

Your difficulty level and physical

condition need a lot of upgrading.

I don't know how hard you're

really willing to work.

Oh, hard. I promise.

Just...

Just believe in me.

We'll start tomorrow.

You'll be doing

28 hours per week.

At home, I do 36,

and I'm willing to do a lot...

I have my way.

Believe in me.

You must be Gabby.

I'm Sally, and this

is my husband, Brent.

Welcome to Iowa.

We are so grateful that you are

gonna let us be your host family.

Is that her, Mommy?

Yes, it is, princess.

This is Jessica, one of our girls.

And this is Jill,

and our oldest, Connie,

and our youngest,

Beth-Anne,

and you met Jessica, right?

So, how was the...

You have a love...

Oh, you first.

I was just gonna say,

you guys have a lovely home.

Thank you.

Okay, so, who's hungry?

Me!

You guys are always hungry.

All right, to the kitchen.

Come on in. Come in.

Already beating us there.

We are grateful

for bringing us together.

And we want to thank you,

Lord Jesus,

for bringing Gabby

into our home.

And, God, please bless our food.

In your name we pray.

Amen. ALL:
Amen.

You girls are gonna give

them some time alone, okay?

Is this a good idea?

'Cause it's not feeling

like I thought it would.

It's what you wanted, Brie.

Mama, nobody said Iowa doesn't

have any black people.

I'm sure there's more

of us somewhere.

Don't go.

It's too late for you to have

a change of heart now, baby.

This will be the hardest part,

sweetie.

Tomorrow, you'll be in your element,

where you belong.

I'm so proud of you,

I could pop.

I love you, my Boo Tookie Boo.

Mama.

Oh...

One more hug before I

start bawling my eyes out

in front of all

these nice people.

I love you, sweetie.

I love you.

Study this closely.

These are the dates that are going to

control your life for the next two years.

This is today.

And this is the London Olympics.

But you can't get there

unless you win here,

the US Olympic Trials.

There will be competitions

throughout the year.

They're all important.

But the road to there really starts here,

the Visa Championships.

And starting now,

you have to forget everything

you thought you knew.

Because I'm going to rebuild

you muscle by muscle.

Yeah, you can be the greatest

You can be the best

You can be the King Kong

banging on your chest

You could beat the world

You could beat the war

You could talk to God,

go banging on his door

You can throw your hands up

You can beat the clock Yeah

You can move a mountain

You can break rocks

You can be a master

Don't wait for luck

Dedicate yourself

and you gonna find yourself

Standing in the

hall of fame Yeah

And the world's gonna

know your name Yeah

'Cause you burn with the

brightest flame Yeah

And the world's gonna

know your name Yeah

And you'll be on the walls

of the hall of fame

You can go the distance

You can run the mile

You can walk straight

through hell with a smile

You could be the hero

You could get the gold

Breaking all the records they

thought never could be broke

Yeah, do it for your people

Do it for your pride

How you ever gonna know

if you never even try?

Do it for your country

Do it for your name

'Cause there's gonna be a day

When you're standing in

the hall of fame Yeah

And the world's gonna

know your name Yeah

'Cause you burn with the

brightest flame Yeah

And the world's gonna

know your name Yeah

Mom was right.

Saying goodbye to her was the hardest part.

Before I knew it,

months had passed.

I gained 10 pounds,

and it was all muscle.

Every skill I thought

I knew was rethought.

Routines I never believed I

could do became second nature.

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