People often say “If my memory serves me correctly…,” but mine usually doesn’t serve me at all.

I can’t remember most names 10 seconds after I’ve heard them and I’ve even been known to forget a few important dates here and there. But one experience I had last summer was unforgettable.

It was my first time witnessing the Special Olympics Iowa summer games, which take place in Ames every year and begin again today. I’ll admit, I wouldn’t have attended any of the events surrounding the Special Olympics if I wouldn’t have had to for the Daily. I guess my attitude toward the Special Olympics before I went all really boiled down to me being a little afraid of the feelings I thought I would get from the experience. I didn’t want to have to feel sorry for any of the athletes. I didn’t want to see any of these athletes try their best, come up short and hurt more than they had before. And I sure didn’t want to feel weird.

I thought I knew everything about it, without ever really experiencing it.

Sometimes I can be an idiot.

Now, I realize that justification for my opinions about the Special Olympics didn’t hold water.

It all began when I started searching for a spot in the Hilton Coliseum parking lot at the Special Olympics opening ceremonies last year. I remember wondering why I would have to park so far away. Little did I know that most of the 3,000 athletes had brought family with them and that this event was about more than just sports.

In fact, Special Olympics has very little to do with sports. Sure, the participants do athletic events, including running, swimming and cycling, but Special Olympics is more of a celebration than an athletic event. It’s actually a breath of fresh air from the arguments and fighting that we often see in mainstream athletics these days.

You’ll never see that at the Special Olympics. Happiness is the name of the game here.

But if you attend any of the events this weekend, which are free and open to the public, you’ll still see intensity and great competition. You’ll see smiles all around and people that are willing to be your friend even if they’ve never met you before today.

Don’t feel like a stranger when the summer games are in Ames through Saturday. Even if you’re not one of the participants, or aren’t related to one, the Special Olympics Iowa committee is always looking for more volunteers to help with the event. At last year’s summer games, nearly 2,000 volunteers of all ages helped put on the event. Special Olympics also has regional contests and winter games for which services and donations are welcome.

Rich Fellingham, president and CEO of Special Olympics Iowa, has done a great job organizing the event and giving the participants and their families a chance to rejoice in what they can do, rather than what they can’t do. He got started with Special Olympics by volunteering after probably having the same feelings I did. Look where he is now.

I can’t stress it enough — get involved with Special Olympics if you can. At the very least, go check it out for yourself and see firsthand what I’m trying to explain here. Don’t be shy and don’t be afraid to make a new friend when you’re there either. I don’t consider myself very extroverted, but even I found a couple new pals for the weekend.

Trust me, you won’t feel weird or feel like you have to have sympathy for anyone. And there’s a pretty good chance you’ll walk away with a smile on your face too, just like I did.

“If you’ve never experienced it, there’s no way to describe it to anyone,” said one organizer I spoke with last year. “It’s just unbelievable what these athletes can do, what their skill levels are and what great attitudes they have.”

Unbelievable and unforgettable.