Gabrielle Douglas: historical and breathtaking

I am speechless and teary-eyed.

As I sit here, I am reflecting on this tweet from the US Olympic Team (@USOlympic) that has impacted me so much:

"Way to go, @GabrielleDoug! Douglas is #TeamUSA's fourth ever Olympic all-around champion and earns her second GOLD of these Games!"

And this one from gymnast Chellsie
Memmel:

"AMAZING Finish!!!!!! Gabby is Olympic All Around Champion!!!!! #GoUSA"

US gymnast Gabrielle Douglas is the new reigning women's all-around champion of the Olympics....what a breathtaking declaration!

There have only been 4 all-around champions from the US in the history of the Olympic games, and so she joins the company of Mary Lou Retton, Carly Patterson, and Nastia Liukin.

And there has only EVER been one woman of color to cinch the title. Ever.

I cannot tell you what this means to my heart, but I will try. It's up there for me with the first African American President and First Lady. It swells my heart with pride, both for our nation, and my ethnic heritage.

I am proud for the holder of that title to be a strong Christian who is not ashamed to say so. I am overwhelmed by how well-spoken and composed she is at her tender young age of 16.

I can imagine that Dominique Dawes was crying too when she heard. Dawes, part of the Magnificent Seven of the 1996 Olympics, was a first for the sport, and now "Gabby" has taken that open door to the next level, the highest one.

I just wanted to take a moment to celebrate and congratulate Gabrielle on her momentous accomplishment. I could go on and on through my tears of joy, but suffice it to say this:

Gabrielle, you are a winner and trailblazer on many levels. Congratulations on winning the all-around gold medal, and for inspiring yet another generation of girls of all colors around the world!