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DEL.ICIO.USFamily sees Maya ‘unfold like a flower’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gwinnett’s sweetheart has new admirers.
Old ones, too.
So fans of UConn women’s basketball must fall in line behind those who have cherished Maya Moore from the very start.
“To see her unfold, it’s amazing,” Robert Moore, her maternal grandfather, said Monday after the Collins Hill star, the only junior on Parade All-America’s first team, declared she will play for the Huskies.
“It’s a joy, of course. To see any young person unfold like a flower. It becomes beauty at its best.”
As charming as seeing families come together, especially to share a time such as this. Robert Moore, 77, and his wife, Petrina, wouldn’t have missed their granddaughter’s momentous weekend for the world. It began Friday with Maya’s being presented the Naismith Award as the best high school girls player in these United States.
“They drove all the way from Chicago,” said Kathryn Moore, Maya’s mom. “It took them two days, but they made it.”
They all have. It’s truly taken a village, one scattered across America, to uplift Maya. That’s why they came from Missouri, Chicago and Detroit, joining local family members, to witness her accomplishments.
“It’s a great feeling to know no matter what you do, they will always be there,” Maya said. “In more ways than basketball — just the life things. Someone will always help me. Tell me to be about life, school, spirituality. Everything besides basketball.”
“I mean, stuff people don’t see.”
Like something her grandmother once saw.
“When Maya was born, we knew she was somewhat a little special,” Petrina Moore said. “But all grandparents feel that way.”
Apparently, though, the clan’s allegiance gets spread around. Although Maya may be the one on a pedestal at the moment, there’s plenty enough family love to share.
“We’re big about that,” said Christa Williams, Maya’s cousin who lives in Cobb County. “We always support each other, whether it’s Maya or me or whoever. When it’s all of us, no one is greater than the other.
“We’re all just family.”
This, however, was Maya’s time to shine. And those who know her best delight in the way she handles acclaim.
Drexel Mitchell, a Detroit native who owns an Atlanta-based gospel record label, said it’s been a pleasure to share in his cousin’s life.
“She has been easy to, quote/unquote, raise,” he said. “She’s always been very humble, very easy to get along with. A very real person. Maya’s not filled with herself. Not caught up in a lot of hype.
“It’s been great being part of her life.”
Eventually, however, no matter how swell a child’s upbringing, it becomes their obligation (some say family duty) to let their life reflect all the affection, and sustenance, that’s been provided.
Many do. Too many don’t.
Which is why being an admirer of Maya Moore, the gracious, studious young woman, is even more gratifying than enjoying her on-court wonders. Maya Moore excels in the game that counts.
One called life.
“Even though you can’t help but be proud of her basketball skills and accomplishments, she wouldn’t be that if it wasn’t for who she was as a young lady,” Kathryn Moore said.
“She amazes me .”
All while paying homage to those she loves.
“To bring family and friends together like this,” her grandfather said. “It’s an honor.”
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