Every year around St. Patrick’s Day a ton of runners head to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for the annual Shamrock Marathon. Different people I know were regular participants and I decided to join along, for the very first time, as a standby volunteer while cheering on some folks I knew and different ones I’d just met. The event was a blast, and the fact that it was near the beach was definitely a perk. It was exciting seeing so many people with their family and friends participating in such a fun-filled local event. I’ve already been asked to actually run in the race next year (which I’m not quite ready for just yet… we’ll see 😄) but what I do know is that I had a really good time. If you’re looking for something fun to do, consider checking out different upcoming events in the Hampton Roads area and wherever else you may find yourself in this upcoming spring and summer season. Do something fun this weekend and enjoy yourself. TGIF!
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...