letter to someone you wish you could meet

day nine.

dear mike,

what can i say that hasn't been said already? what praise could i heap upon you that hasn't been heaped upon you already? even in the fourth grade, i was acutely aware of the blatant commercialization of you in "like mike," yet to this day i still prefer gatorade over all other sports drinks. "if i could be like mike..."

in all things dealing with mankind, there will forever and always be comparisons. comparisons with current league leaders, upcoming prospects, even with the different phases of your career. however, you transcend the sport. you rise above the rest. simply for the fact that you wanted "it" more.

your fierce drive and competitive spirit showed the world what desire can produce. granted, you were bestowed with the physical gifts and born talent of an athlete. yet, you yourself have stated time and again that it is your appetite for winning, your thirst for greatness and your love for the game that provided the fuel to jet to the top.

you became a world.mega.super.star, eclipsing your title as "athlete." you became a brand, a symbol, an icon. a generation or two later and even my students in corea who have no interest in basketball or any other sport know who you are.

how did you do it? how did you find the motivation? what are your secrets? what was, what is your fear? you've shared so much with the world, yet i still want to know who michael jordan is. beyond the high.flying acrobatics. beyond the clutch shots. beyond the suave exterior. who is mike?


-linda