Laying on my bed and staring at the ceiling my mind is full of wonders. These wonders regard a different place, surroundings, and circumstances. The follow-up for this ritual is the closing of eyes with a deep breath. Behind my eye lid's is a land of milk and honey. I don't say this to be Moses or be in his position, but The Most High God has granted me the gift to see beyond the horrors of the earthly concrete.
Within this alternate universe I stand in front of a mirror. In this mirror I stand at 6ft, 5in and weigh about 205lbs. Covering my uniform is a bright white towel. Keeping a clean image is important. I'm number 18 of the Fordham Rams for the love of God. Rocking a clean tower-shaped fade I start boasting and goofing off about one of my latest plays. Minty breath and a sharp shave I grab my bag and helmet and head out. My household is usually empty, mainly because the only two people are in it is me and my foster mother. Yeah that's right, home isn't as electric as it is on the field.
Although I'm the next Odell Beckham Jr. in the making there's a bit more steps I have to take. My foster mother thinks I'm not taking things to serious, but on the other hand my coach says if I want to give it a shot I should join the up and coming draft. Surprisingly, I have another option. That option is to enlist in the Navy.
I'm sorry, but I never felt that I could be good enough for anybody (including my foster mother). I an twenty-two with the whole world before my feet. What do I have to lose?
Naomi is my one and only was scared out of her mind when I first told her of my pursuits to enlist into the Navy. Thanks to our love for each other she began to except my motives. Some of the last weeks during this past semester I've noticed how big her belly had gotten (just a side note). This young woman can be my wife and the mother of my children someday. I often dream of a better life and world for both of us.
I can hear the clock ticking and tocking. Time is always of the essence, and it always will be. Football has always been my dream, and Lord knows it still is. Enlisting into the Navy is not just another outlet for machoism, but a passport into other possibilities including real manhood. At this very moment my brain is cut into three quarters. The first quarter I see my foster mother claiming that I'm not taking my future into consideration. In the second quarter I see my coach who does see a future Hall of Famer in me and wants to see greatness in me no matter who we play against. In the third quarter I see Naomi, the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with and who is definitely carrying something inside of her that needs constant consideration and thought. Somewhere in the mix of all of this is a fourth quarter where I stand in a room with others of different genders and backgrounds. Placed in front of us in the flag of the United States of America with a banner in bold black letters that reads "WELCOME ABOARD." Together we all salute the flag.
Once the we are all done with the routine the shaking of hands along with joking around are thrown around the scene goes blank. I forgot that I needed to wake up and deal with my own reality as it is. It's funny how we sometimes feel that the next man has it better? Well their shoes can't fit yours and the ring-around. That's how life is, so me and you must deal with it. Have a wonderful week folks.
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