On
Friday, January 17, 2014, the Miami Heat played against the Philadelphia 76ers.
It was a special day for Dwyane Wade not just because of the win over the 76ers
or that he played and helped his team win. January 17 was also his birthday.
Earlier
in the week the Miami Heat visited the White House. Several days after that
visit Wade would share his special day with the First Lady Michelle Obama,
whose birthday was also January 17.
Dr.
Martin Luther King, a great leader born on January 15 had a dream that one day
we would overcome. Two leaders, both born on January 17 live out Dr. King’s
dream. Dwyane Wade and the First Lady, both from Chicago, both challenged with
adversities and both leaders dominating in their fields. Both are shining lights
in their respective fields of law, politics and sports and, like Dr. King, they
have littered history with a litany of achievements.
When D.
Wade had an opportunity to develop his family team into a championship team, he
willingly gave up what he loved to share with those he loved. When Dwyane Wade
had the opportunity to become a father first over his beloved basketball as a leading
shot-blocker, he gave up a part of what he loved to give and share his focus with
a family that he loved more.
When
the First Lady had an opportunity to help bring Dr. King’s dream to life by
adding color to the White House, she willingly gave up what she loved as a leader
dominating her field to sacrifice the one thing life will not give you back,
time. I imagine the First Lady had to go
through some adjustments like being in charge of everything, while at the same
time being in charge of nothing.
Dwyane
Wade, a father first and Ms. Obama, a mother first also shine at home. They are
role models for American families not because they made it, but because they struggled
just like the rest of us, yet, overcame the challenges, while maintaining home
base. They did not give up. When the road was tough, as I am sure it was and
still is at times to help keep our dream alive.
I can
only imagine how many times on that road, they may have wanted to say, “Enough.”
But, they didn’t. They kept going, allowing us to live our dreams through them.
For the millions of little princesses who will never sleep in the White House and
call it home and for the millions of boys and girls playing basketball on the
streets of American who will never play in the NBA or the WNBA Michelle Obama
and Dwyane Wade turned a fantasy into a dream and kept Dr. King’s dream alive.
I am sure Dr. King would be proud.
