The Moment Of a Lifetime

One of the greatest moments of my life came to me when I least expected it. I was at an ice cream parlor, waiting on my movie to start with my friends on a warm Saturday afternoon.

We were talking, joking, having a good time. There was a possibility that my home team, the Pistons, would be swept the next day.

The thought hurt. Unfortunately, things come and go.

While the thought terrorized me, a large figure of 6-8, 280 pounds walked in with his 6-3, 180 pound teammate. To others, they were the antagonist's.

To me, it was a dream. Ripples of excitement tingled through my body as Mr. LeBron James himself stepped up to the counter to place his order.

I stared. I waited. This moment could not run away from me.

What are the odds that one of the most famous athletes in the world would happen to walk into the same ice cream parlor I happened to be at?

Nervous, I said hi. He turned around and looked at me and my friends, who I felt didn't exist at the moment.

Suddenly, my breath was hot and uncomfortable in my throat. I started sweating. My sports trauma melted away as his large hand extended toward me.

Shocked, I bravely grabbed it and shook. The moment was unreal.

Incredible. Magic.

But it passed.

My swagger crash landed, so hard that my cockiness was overwhelming.

"It's a shame that you guys are going to lose tomorrow!" I called out teasingly.

A trace of a smile flashed across his face.

"We'll see!" He called back.

My friends and I rose, ready to leave. Our tension was still thick in the air. It had to be broken.

My comrade, the joker of the group, was not finished.

"Give me a hug, man!"

All tension was shattered as the shop erupted in laughter, cheerful laughter. He did get the friendly hug, however.

Afterwards, cheerfulness rippling through the crowded street corners, I tried to focus on the upcoming movie. But this proved impossible, as I had just encountered a moment I'll never forget.

My biggest regret is that I did not get his autograph. But I left with something greater; the thought that me, a kid from Detroit, received the moment of a lifetime.