Childhood Memory
My childhood was full of fun times and joy. I grew up in a family of two siblings. My father was a sports event organizer and was part of the organizing team of almost every sports event in the United States back in the 1990s. This meant he travelled around the country very often. Our family therefore, spent a lot of time travelling, especially when my elder brother, Jake, was on holiday. The frequent travels around the country and once in a while around the world made me develop an interest in travelling and sports. At the age of only four, I had travelling and watching sports as my hobbies. That is the time when I had the fondest memories of my childhood.
It was in 1994 march, the United States was hosting the World Cup. My father was one of the sports officials chosen to be part of the organizing committee of the tournament. Having not started school yet, I had the privilege of accompanying him on most of his trips, although not to the official meetings. My dad was also one of the senior officials of the Chicago Bulls basket ball club in Chicago.
My best memories happened to be the day I witnessed the return of the iconic basket ball legend, Michael Jordan for the Chicago Bulls. It was a very thrilling game. Michael Jordan had just made his return from retirement for the club I had supported in my childhood. It was great being in the stands watching the talented giant Michael score 19 points for the Chicago Bulls. The most amazing part was that after the match I had the chance of meeting Michael in person. I was humbled by his simple, friendly and easy nature. He gave me all his attention, signed an autograph for me and promised to send me an original ball and Chicago Bulls kit later that week, which he did. Those were the things any four year old, even millions of adult Americans would do all they can to get, but here I was experiencing just that. It was unbelievable, posing for pictures with the then most celebrated basket ball player in the country.
This was just the beginning of the best of memories. My father and I attended all the playoff games where the Chicago Bulls trashed the Charlotte Hornets in all four games. That summer we did revel in the joy of watching the world cup matches on very huge screens. Football had never been a popular sport in the United States, but the world cup made it seem like football was a way of life. Even at the young age, I interacted with so many people, people from all over the world who even spoke languages I could not understand.
The height of all times was when my father took me along to watch the final of the world cup tournament. Travelling to the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California State was the most amazing trip I have ever taken. The match turned out to be the most thrilling between the Brazilians and the Italians. It felt so good being part of such a lively environment, waves of emotion and joy.
These were the best experiences of my childhood, watching the world’s most famous individuals from close range, performing at their best with the whole world urging them on and the reactions by for the losers and winners were the best experiences. To date, my childhood memories revolve around those two events. I learnt that people lose and win only through effort, determination and hard work. The events allowed me to learn how to handle my emotions at a time when I can be overwhelmed by the prevailing situations. Watching sports, particularly the two events have shaped me into a better and all round person.
