Around this time last year, I had the chance to check out Ballet Virginia’s The Nutcracker. And I loved everything about it. Seeing a ballet was something I hadn’t done since I was a teenager, so having the opportunity to go again was awesome. The music, dancing, costumes, and performances were brilliant. Plus, I got to have a nice dinner, get fancy, wear a beautiful gown and cool jewelry, and I was able to see everything in person vs. being unable to do so now because of the pandemic. This year I found out the ballet will be streamed virtually, which is still nice too. Once things ease up in the world, I hope I’m able to see another show in person. But in the meantime, a virtual performance will do just fine. Safety first, right? I hope you’re keeping safe, making your weekends as rich as you can, and enjoying this season.
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...