Tag: GOAT

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In Admiration Of Serena Williams

I do not play tennis; I can’t even run but Serena Williams is still an inspiration to me.

I was a teenager when a family member was SUPER excited about the new players to watch — Venus and Serena Williams. The teenage, Black sisters from Compton made the news that reverberated beyond die-hard fans of the sport. I’ve never followed tennis, but since that day, I would take note whenever I heard Venus or Serena’s names.

As time passed, Venus was the best female tennis player in the world, but I remember my family member saying, “Venus is great, but Serena is the one. She will be the greatest of all time.” The authority with which he said that made me pause. I couldn’t understand how he was so sure. The only other athletes that I’d heard referred to as The Greatest of all Time were Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky, and to me, it seemed a near-impossible task to reach such athletic excellence. Interested to see what he saw, I started seeking out interviews with the Williams’ sisters and taking note of the headlines published about Serena Williams’ ascent into greatness.

Provided by Todd Trapani on Unsplash

Beyond Athletics

Though Venus and Serena Williams inspired countless to compete in and follow the sport, their effect on me was different — though profound.

I will never forget watching Venus and Serena in an interview with Oprah Winfrey. I wasn’t able to find the clip, but they spoke about getting their degrees and starting a fashion line in case tennis didn’t work out. What?! They were already the greatest female tennis players in the world (Serena had likely just passed Venus as number one — I can’t remember), and yet they were humble enough to talk about having a backup plan. (I can’t remember hearing another professional in any field — especially people with notoriety — talk about having a backup plan before or since.)

The other thing that struck me was the relationship Venus and Serena have as sisters. Their respect, love, and support of one another were a joy to witness. I always thought that if I ever had children, I would want to raise them to be like them (fortunately, King Richard starring Will Smith provided all of us with a glimpse into their family life and the beginnings of a blueprint that has been proven to work.)

Cheers to Serena Williams and her inspiring career. May her array of achievements continue to awe and motivate athletes, and her and her family’s barrier-breaking mindset, humble words, and humanity continue to inspire all of us.

Here are a couple of clips of Venus and Serena Williams on The Oprah Winfrey Show from OWN’s YouTube page:

Where Venus Williams Got Her Values

Serena Williams on copying her sister Venus:

It’s A Go!

Amber (A.F.S.) Green

*The image of the tennis ball on the court was graciously provided by Todd Trapani on Unsplash.

**This post also appears on The Write Results.

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The New Nine (In memory: 2/24/20)

The New Nine

**January 26, 2021: It’s been one year since Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan perished. May they rest in peace.**

Saint Peter stood at the gates of heaven as he always did, but onlookers started to gather. A solitary job, it was unusual that so many angels and departed souls were interested in the arrival of a group of nine people– dubbed ‘the New Nine’– whom Saint Peter expected to greet momentarily on the morning of Sunday, January 26th, 2020.

It would be a tragedy on Earth; Saint Peter knew that family members and friends of the New Nine were about to suffer unimaginable shock and heartache, for there was no warning of the impending event that would unite basketball fans around the world. As news of the helicopter crash spread, basketball players would honour the most famous of the nine by taking eight and 24-second violations; a moment of silence to show respect for one of the greats taken too soon. Tearful interviews and outpouring of love and condolences would follow. 

Fans would gather to pay their respects. Some would talk about how one of the nine singlehandedly inspired their love for the game. No matter what jersey they sported during the season, they would discuss his greatest plays, as they found solidarity in their shared admiration for an athlete beloved; an athlete who inspired and achieved greatness during an impressive career spanning two decades, though his life was cut short in a little over four. He was a man, a father, and a husband who had achieved the status of a basketball legend and would be forever remembered that way.

Three of the nine would arrive before Saint Peter as children; girls who had barely entered their teenage years. Though the glory of the afterlife would overtake them once they arrived, Saint Peter knew that people on Earth would mourn the years of their lives that these three girls were made to forfeit, missed milestones and rites of passage they would have no earthly right to experience. As the people who knew and loved the three girls would be sent into grief-stricken shock upon hearing the news, parents would hug their children a little tighter that night, as humanity was reminded that even if you have it all, the time for which you have it is never guaranteed.  

The New Nine would pass through the pearly gates together. In time, some left behind would find solace in that.  

“The basketball court is ready. They’ll want to play,” Saint Peter said to the crowds of souls who had gathered. He looked at a bright light shining in the distance. “That’s them. Our new stars have arrived,” he announced confidently to the onlookers, who were eager to welcome the New Nine. 

May the light the departed brought to the world continue to shine through the love and cherished memories of those they touched. 

Rest in peace, Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan. 

Note from the author:

If loved ones of any of the people who perished on January 26, 2020, read this post, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept the condolences of your friends north of the border.

*Please note that I offer an audio version of The New Nine on YouTube

© 2020 Amber Green

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🇨🇦 Musings of a Masterpiece

A work of art narrates its journey through time in this short story. 

In the centuries since its creation, it has witnessed the joy of love and companionship, the heartache of loss, and hardship. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but what if the masterpiece you so admire silently muses at the countless wonders of humanity?

🇺🇸: Amazon.com users, click here.

🇬🇧: Amazon.co.uk users, click here.

And…

🇨🇦 Believe In Me

In this short story, an atheist is surprised when the prayer they assumed would never be received (because really, who’s listening?) is answered. 

In a conversation with God, one would think that the atheist would be the only one forever changed, but that may not be the case. 

What do you believe?

🇺🇸: Amazon.com users, click here.

🇬🇧: Amazon.co.uk users, click here.

Amber Green is a self-published Canadian author and freelance writer. Her short stories can be found here: www.amazon.com/author/ambergreen