A Letter to Peyton Manning

(You, Peyton)

Dear Peyton,
I've been there. Believe me, I've been there. You have a job you like, maybe even think you love. You've been there a long time, longer than many others. People tell you you are good at it, you seem popular even though you make a few mistakes. Sure you have some critics and you don't have as many big awards (Superbowl Trophies, ahem, ahem) as some might like-but you're doing pretty well for yourself. Then-BAM!- management decides you are not exactly the direction of the future. Maybe you just don't fit in. And suddenly you are unemployed....
It's disorienting, although it appears you handled it pretty well with the National Manning Interest Tour of teams. Not all of us had that luxury, but I digress. You landed on your feet just fine. You found a new job. Who knows, maybe you will even be better at this one. Maybe your new job will let you use skills you didn't know you had, show sides of your personality that you couldn't before. Maybe you will feel free to speak your mind, voice your beliefs, have a social life and not have to worry who is watching or agreeing with you.
Perhaps Denver holds wonderful new friends for you. People who are fun, and who want you to be fun too. People who laugh at your jokes and who have open minds. People who support you in every decision. Perhaps you will have a stronger line blocking for you, so you won't get knocked down and feel left to fend for yourself. Perhaps your new coach has nothing but the best planned for you and will develop a plan to get you there.

(Still You,Peyton)

It won't be long and you might not even recognize the person you were in Indianapolis. You might wonder why you stayed  there so long. Your smile might be wider, your jokes will actually  be funnier. You will look younger because you are more relaxed. Your kids (do you have kids?) will like you better because you have time for them, even though you may be working harder because success in this new place is suddenly so important to you. Your social life will improve with all these new friends you are about to make. Maybe you are making less money (No, wait you are not making less money. In fact, you have more money than God) but you are squeaking by.

(Not you, but is this really about you?)

In short this new life will take some adjusting but you will reinvent yourself in Denver. The person you may become will be one who likes himself and everyone around him. You will be happier and healthier. Leaving Indianapolis-however you did it-will be the best decision you ever made. When you say your prayers at night you will Thank God for guiding you down this path and placing all of these wonderful new people in it. You will remember that he has a plan if you will just trust him. He knows what he is doing with you, Peyton. He knows what he is doing with all of us. After all, I've been there.
Your biggest fan,
Jean Ann