A Surprising Role Model Anonymous

I could feel the tears coming. My brother’s words pierced me like bullets, one by one, slowly overpowering my determination. I turned to face him and cleared my mind. After receiving the ball, I noticed him hesitate slightly and on instinct I started dribbling towards the basket. Unfortunately, he reacted just in time; momentarily after the sure layup sailed into the air, it came right back down. More trash talk ensued. I was about to explode at any moment. He bombarded me with insults, “You think you would EVER have a chance to make the middle school basketball team? Would they even let you try out?” The hateful words came in a barrage. I ran towards the steps without hesitation and locked the door behind me. My brother was left outside in the cold for the next half hour before I finally let him in.

Believe it or not, my brother has been a role model for me throughout my life. He had his own “creative ways” to teach me lessons – his trash talking caused me to be a stronger person. My confidence grew not only with basketball, but also with all other parts of my life. After that incident, no words could pierce my new suit of armor. My brother is a very strong individual. Although I was just a baby when my family emigrated to...