orphan no more

A friend shared an article about Jordan Pisey Windle, an Olympic athlete who was adopted from a Cambodian orphanage in the 1990’s by a single gay man, Jerry Windle. I’m moved to tears when I read the story, because it touches on so many different themes that are important to me.

• Dispels the myth that a good parent cannot be gay, single, or a man.
• Gives hope in the generosity of people to help others.
• An example of how good can come about despite war, poverty, diaspora, and family separation.
• The American Dream of hard work and success.
• A coach who saw potential at a young age and provided mentoring.
• A young man’s achievement, bringing pride to his nations (both USA and Cambodia)

These are the public facing, G-rated thoughts I have and appreciate. However, there are these hidden thoughts that come about, from insecurities, from social taboos, and from shadow.

• Damn, that young man is hot! A cute and handsome face, beautiful dark skin, shapely muscles.
• Love the changes to support Asian-Americans in success and attractiveness.
• Get over insecurities about being short and Asian — achievements are beyond this.
• It’s okay to have a shallow sexual attractions and to have deeper more meaningful appreciation.

Out of curiosity, I want to know more about this man. I stumbled across a YouTube video. And more things surface, that you see in movement, in mannerisms.

• A big, bright smile.
• Confidence.
• Boyish charm.
• Broad shoulders.
• Sexy, muscular body.

I listen to an interview. How does this young man think?

Jordan Windle, you make your first Olympic team, what does it mean to see your perseverance and dedication to the sport pay off, and you’re part of Team USA?

You know, it makes me feel really good knowing that I made my family proud and my team proud, you know, pushing through a lot of pain and a lot of obstacles has been, you know, quite the journey, but, you know, in the end it worked out and I couldn’t be more happy.

Yeah, your life story starts in an orphanage in Cambodia, will continue on now at the Olympic games in Tokyo. How do you hope to inspire others?

You know, just like Greg Louganis taught me since the beginning to always have fun and treat it like a sport’s supposed to be. Go out there and be a competitor. And that’s what I intend to do.

Well I bet you were having some fun after that first dive, you set the tone with tens on the opening round. How did that kind of carry you forward throughout this competition?

It just proved that, you know, with a positive attitude and to continue to smile, anything can happen and, you know, we’ll keep going.

We love to show your dad, Jerry, in the stands, his enthusiasm, but what has his support meant to you?

It’s everything, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him, you know, his love and support. And he’s always there for me, calling me, and, you know, I’d give him anything and I’m sure he’d do the same.

Congratulations, Jordan.

Thank you so much.

Then I see an extended biography of the relationship with father and son, Orphan No More, and the story of the book that they create together. Wow.

It’s these strange intersections of emotions and feelings that throw me off sometimes. Inspiration (their generosity, love, resilience, and success), attraction (the physical attributes, the values, the integrity), shame and embarrassment (that I want to indulge that lust, that I am a voyeur, that I have not achieved such success myself, that I have not been as disciplined myself). Shake off some of that negativity.

What a beautiful relationship, father and son. What an inspiration.

–goodmisfit