Congratulations Marion Jones, making the cut for the Women’s National Basketball Associations Team roster for the Tulsa Shock!

Marion Jones, the former Olympic sprinter is now the oldest rookie ever in the WNBA. I hope Marion Jones succeeds, and proves to be a long awaited inspiration for young women the world over who I believe she is.

Sometimes to get to where we should be, we have to go through any number of trials and tribulations. In some cases these challenges prove to be almost too much for mere mortals. For those that survive their downfall, a new opportunity arises. I hope this is that opportunity for Marion Jones.

For all of us, life throws choices in our lives that we are not prepared for. Sometimes our choices, no matter how sincere and well meaning at the time, go awry and we are left with tiny pieces of what was our life dream. It is not an easy matter to pull yourself up, put your life back together, and start out from the beginning in yet another quest to finish the journey long ago started.

The world needs role models, and unfortunately not all role models are perfect in all areas of their lives. Most role models are merely human. A few role models have made  grave mistakes in their lives. Others have made mistakes which in the end have only hurt themselves. Some have done both. Not all survive their downfall, get their life back together, and begin to create their destiny one more time.

I think I have been one of the few who have thought even in the face of strong adversity, and a few less than stellar life choices, Marion Jones will someday show her real self and become all she was meant to be. I hope this is the start of what I hope will be true.

Good luck Marion Jones, I am cheering for you!