Unanticipated Joy Today

I had an unanticipated joy in my life today.  A young man that I have known since he was a boy, experience an announcement of a life time today, to be a professional athlete.  As I listened to him talk to the press and answer questions with poise far beyond his years, I kept thinking of the boy I met so many years ago.  He was so quiet, he never made eye contact....those chocolate brown eyes told quite a story.

A reporter asked what the 10 year old boy would have said about today...I realized that I was the only person in the room that knew him as a 10 year old boy.  He would have said nothing, he didn't talk much, he didn't trust.  His eyes would have said all.

As he was leaving the room today, not really focusing on the people that were acknowledging him.  As he approached, he looked up and saw it was me.  A smile spread across his face and he held on a little longer to his embrace, I think acknowledging his journey that I had been a small part of, the one where he was just a boy.

A new life is just beginning, one I know that he will handle with maturity beyond his years. Today was a blessing.  I was able to see the boy become a man and be given opportunities that are so well deserved.