Saturday, 22 October 2011

• We All Have our Moments of Glory

  We all, we all have our day in the sun, our moment of glory.

  Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single game, 

  Tom Hanks won back to back Oscars for best actor,

  Neil Armstrong taking the first step on the moon.

  For some, these moments are historic and etched in their hearts for eternity.

  These moments are the stories of legends. 

  What of those who were on the opposite end?

  The loser of that 100 point game? The nominees who clapped as they watch Hanks giving the Oscar speech?

  The astronaut who failed the training course?

  These moments humble those people on the latter end. 

  Their names associated but never shine in comparison. They go home with their heads down, legs dragging, wondering what went wrong.

  Some practice and hone their skills for their opportunity for a second chance. Some fade into the shadows casted by the legends that stood above them. 

  We all, we all have our moments.

  When I was 15, I played baseball. I was the smallest player on the team. The only Asian. To compensate for my small stature, I had a very unique batting stance. I practiced fielding everyday. I was never the star, but a very dependable player.

  So after an entire season of our team being dominated by every high school in the city, we found ourselves in a nail biter. We were one run ahead of the opposing team. They had two outs and two men in scoring position. Their star player was up at bat, and everyone was on high tension.

  First pitch, fastball straight down the middle. Crack! He'd swung just a bit under and the ball was a line drive between second and third base. My heels turned, my thighs tightened and I leapt towards third with my glove open. As I landed, a dust cloud rose form the side of my body. The ball, safely caught in my leather glove. The team was ecstatic. My coach ran out to the field and picked me up as I ran towards the dugout. He swung me around like a little boy. We high fived and cheered... our pitcher took to the field as well, he quickly reminded us, "There's one more inning". 

  When I was 30, I left my company. I was making a decent living. However, I wanted more. Within leaving the company two months, my salary tripled. New suit, new apartment, never riding anything that was not a taxi. Success was in my hand and I wore it on my sleeve. 

  When I was 32, I owed rent. I used a $HK100 phone. I was in midst of a personal crisis and hadn't gone to work for months. My stove broke. My electric stove broke as well. I cooked with a water boiler. 

  We all, we all have our moments.

  When my mother was 21. She was married. Her husband a wealthy man. They'd dine in the most luxurious hotels in Hong Kong. 

  When my mother was 33. She gave birth to me. her husband was a former police officer. He was not home very often. 

  When my mother was 39. Her sons left Hong Kong. She'd not see them for 3 years. 

  We all, we all have our moments.

  I honestly have been humbled by this thing called life. When the "haves" become "no longer", the adjustment is brutal. When you are lucky enough to "have" again, well, what you once had, when found again, has changed meanings. 

  I was recently hired at a company. The salary is not what makes the riches, but it certainly is nothing to be shy about. However, I found myself still using the old phone I had. The morning train to work is jam-packed, but it certainly is more thrifty. I now have a functional electric stove. 

  As I sat there today in the hills with my mother, on our usual Saturday morning gathering, I caught her smile. She was very happy about my job. We sat there, humbled by our life experience. We sipped tea and smoked our cigarettes. She may not have stepped on the moon, or won an Oscar, or had a successful career. In fact, she had broken relationships and children taken from her. However, in the simpleness of a cup of tea, on a green hill, with a cool breeze blowing, with her son on her side, she was finally having her moment in the sun. I love you mom.

  We all, we all have our moments in the sun.

  What moments of glory have you had?  When have you been on the opposite end of a moment of glory? 

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