In 2016 Ryan Reynolds embodied and brilliantly portrayed a very unlikely yet likable character named Deadpool. A sequel has recently released and after seeing both films, I’m impressed with the work. When the first film came out I watched it so many times I lost count. It really was that good. Deadpool is an unlikely definition of what some may consider a hero. The films are violent, raunchy, comical, and surprisingly have some thought-provoking takeaways. In the first film, shortly before becoming Deadpool, Reynolds character explains that “Life is an endless series of train wrecks with only brief, commercial-like breaks of happiness…” It was an insightful line. As much as most of us aim towards happiness, life can have moments that feel like an endless series of train wrecks with just “brief” breaks of happiness, which is why it’s important to really enjoy those happy moments. In Deadpool 2, Reynolds character is faced with another tragedy and repeatedly tested to consider some introspection about different choices he makes while taking on a new set of challenges. Is Deadpool a hero or nah? That depends on what some consider a hero to be. One thing for sure is that he’s an unforgettable character.
About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...