I follow basketball more than any other sport, so I have to admit, being at a game in-person vs. watching from home is an awesome experience. A few months back, I hit the road to Charlotte, North Carolina, an area I enjoy visiting, to check out my second NBA game. Years ago, I attended my first game when I went to see my favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers, which was incredible! Although they weren’t playing at the game I went to this time, watching the Hornets take on the Bulls was a blast. Seeing the fans, energy, and players in motion was fun. And I was also in great company, which made things even better. My entire weekend in Charlotte was a blast. I love their downtown area, their food, the hospitality from the locals, and the fact that it’s just nice to hit the road sometimes. If you ever get the chance to go to an NBA game and/or spend some time in Charlotte, go for it. Both are a really good time.
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...