Kobe.
This is new territory for me. I'm writing to someone I don't really know. I've never spoken to you. Never even said hello. I grew up watching you rock that purple and gold, hitting jumper after jumper. I saw you once on July 4th, when you pulled up in your cream-colored Bentley. You flashed a smile to that kid sitting in the beat-up accord next to you. I was back then, and still am now, just another fan.
But to me, and to many others, you are a symbol...
Do not forsake the wisdom of your elders.
Older people, your parents especially, have many years of experience and insight to bring to the table. And if they love you, you will hear the truth. Because they aren't afraid to tell you like it really is.
In these moments, be ready to receive it. Do not harden yourself to their words, because only foolish people spurn wisdom. And you don't want to be a fool.
I say this because I had a decision to make this morning. Would I carry this hurt, or would I learn to let it go? Last night my mom brought something up from the past, something I didn't think was a big deal. Something I had already apologized for. And it hurt. Why hasn't she gotten over this? I thought she had forgiven me. And I didn't even think it was my fault to begin with. Poor communication, perhaps. But my intentions weren't wrong.
It's funny, that moment when you catch a person realizing they're not where they're supposed to be.
A well-to-do couple, judging by the looks of their SLRs and leather sandals, are enjoying a vacation in San Francisco. They are walking from Market Street with shopping bags in hand. After a block the man stops in his tracks, looks at his wife, then pulls out a map. This isn't the same district they were at five minutes ago.
Today I'm turning 30.
I've been reflecting over the past few weeks on my life up to this point. The day has come sooner than I thought, though in some sense it took forever to get here. I've had many losses and triumphs, some bumps and bruises along the way that were necessary to get here in retrospect. There were also some things I thought I'd have by now that I don't.