A Glimpse of Greatness

Timing is everything. I think he was too young. And we were excited - ooo how excited we were. It began as merely a crush. We admired from afar his physique, his strength, his passion. We were guarded as past relationships had taught us the painful consequences of misplaced hope. Over time, it became apparent our union would be a reality, and our cautious optimism quickly transformed into reckless enthusiasm. Certainly, he had the power to heal our wounds, and this would not end in disappointment. I believe initially he was as captivated by the prospect as we.

The honeymoon period was pure bliss, a veritable slam dunk in the game of romance. There was an undeniable connection. He was all we expected him to be, knowing when to assist or take charge and always willing to revisit the drawing boards to perfect our relationship. We linked arms proudly and defended him when others attacked his character and will. Perhaps we were blissfully naive, but we believed this would blossom and flourish.

For awhile, it did. I will not be so blind as to say there were never problems. He did not always approve of those we brought into his life, though we did all within our power to satisfy his needs. He failed us from time to time, but this was merely the ebb and flow of maturing that would ultimately lead to that for which we had both been longing.

Then it happened. Perhaps he was tired as expectations were too high. Perhaps the pressure of lifting us from a state of mediocrity was too heavy a load to bear. We did have a tendency to be quite cold, and we certainly could never be the glamorous partner he desired. Regardless his reasons, he shut down. The ball was in his court, and rather than risking failure, he stood with callous indifference at the key's apex.

His manner of rejection was smug, juvenile and harsh. It was not satisfactory to merely leave us; he made a spectacle, broadcasting to the world he was moving on while we remained, hopes shattered yet again.

Our time together is now a bittersweet memory, fading with each passing season. We have opened ourselves to others, recognizing we are in no state to sacrifice unbridled support in the same manner. He has moved on and now shares with another what we so desperately coveted. It is difficult to merely observe his successes, as the vengeful side of one's soul seeks vindication after such a cruel display of disrespect.

The sting of an additional scar may never completely subside. The resounding what ifs may forever haunt our thoughts: what if we had met later in his life; what if those random cards often dictating unanticipated outcomes had fallen differently; what if he had stayed? Or what if he came back?

One cannot dwell on those thoughts but must live in the present. Presently, he has silenced his critics, and while we were not able to share in the bounty, we were a pivotal stepping stone. I believe we all experience a small sense of pride witnessing the champion he has become and like to think his experience and failure with us molded him into the man he is. Arguably the greatest to have ever played the game.