TBH (To Be Honest) to Myself

TBH...It's been a long 23 years.  You've dealt with deaths that some can't even imagine.  Losing your father at the age of 7 and growing from it is admirable in itself.  You're family is full of different personalities but you have grown together and learned from all of the things you've been through.  If there's one thing you can do better, take better care of your sister.  She needs you although sometimes you don't think so.  Tell your mom you love her just a little bit more, kiss her goodbye from time to time.  BE THERE FOR YOUR FAMILY.

You've made plenty of mistakes along the way.  You've broken a few hearts, been heartbroken a few too many times, broken a few laws, knocked a guy out in a basketball game, been jumped at a party, played a few too many games of BP, danced a little too much at a bar more than a few times, said a few too many cuss words,  but all in all  you've grown from a chubby immature teen, into an inspirational young man.

Although you've had all of these bumps along the way, you managed to from graduate high school and junior college with honors and graduated with a good GPA from TAMU-University Commerce.   You've got a great head on your shoulders and I know you're going to touch the lives of many teens not only in Texas, but in this world.  Teaching and dealing with the youth of this world is your calling and I know you'll be great at it.  Your effect on this world can be limitless if you allow God to take control.

You've met a once in a lifetime woman in Marissa and you better do everything in your power to make her happy!  God brought you to Quitman to meet her and now it's time to grow in your relationship.  Never let her go and treat her like every single day is the first time you met.  Tell her how beautiful she is, how much you care about her, etc.  If she wants you to keep her on her toes, knock her off her feet by showing her what true love is and she'll forget all about that ;).

You've accomplished a lot in life and it's only the beginning.  In just your second year in the profession you've went from a 2A to a 5A.  Some never reach that level and you're doing it at 23.  Keep up the hard work and continue to touch the lives you come across in life.  Things are only going to get better from here.  P.S. I know your dad and everyone else in your life are proud.  Keep it up :)

(Yes I just did a TBH for myself...deal with it)

A Blessing In Disguise

The basketball season of my senior year just happened to be one that would change my life forever.  This little 7 year old boy showed up at my game in a replica jersey which resembled my jersey.  I thought it was awesome that he was wearing my jersey but I figured I'd only come across him a few times and that would be it.  His mother took a picture of us on the court and I was on my way to the locker room and I was on my way.  Little did I know, but my life would be changed forever.

I never knew that that kid and his family would be such a blessing to me.  Ryan, now 12, just amazes me at everything he does.  He is a great athlete and one of the smartest PEOPLE, not kids, that I've ever talked to about sports.  He is the little brother that I never had and I thank God for him.  His sister Lauren, 16, is a little sister to me.  She never ceases to cheer me up when I'm down and she is the most mature 16 year old that I've ever came across.  His dad Tory is the cool dad that everyone wants.  The relationship he and Ryan have is the father-son relationship you'd see in movies.  I cherish every moment that I spend with them two.

Daidre gets her own paragraph...she IS my mother.  She has always treated me as if I were her son.  She's been at my graduations, been generous on every birthday, holiday, etc.  She is always there for me when I need advice or just someone to talk to.  She's there to straighten me out when I'm being stubborn.  She truly is a person that I don't know what I'd do without.

I just finished my senior year in college and they are here for me just like on day one.  They have been a blessing financially and emotionally when it comes to school.  If I ever needed ANYTHING, they were there for me.  Whether it was a book for class, or just a swift kick in the butt to get me motivated, they were there to give it to me.  This is just a small letter of appreciation to them, I could go on and on about how much I appreciate what they have done but I'll save you the time because you'd be here awhile.

Some don't understand my relationship with their family, but in our eyes, they are my family.  They are an inspiration to me and I strive to have a family half as successful as them.  I'm truly grateful for all that they have done for me.  God put them into my life for a reason and I know that they'll be here for the rest of my life.

Be blessed, Thanks for reading

"A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold."

Special Thanks to Fieldhouse Sports and the Motes family for working around my crazy school schedule and everyone else who have helped me along the way.

"Family isn't about whose blood you have. It's about who you care about."