Happy Dude Day!

It was 11 years ago today that I became a “dude”.

Today is the 11th birthday of our first grandchild.

Technically I am a “step” parent but I don’t think I have been referred to that title much over the years. Although some would say that they could never love a child that wasn’t “blood-related” to them, I can tell you that you don’t have to be blood-related to love a child. Although I am not blood-related, I have never felt like an outsider to the lives of the grand kids. Since his birth 11 years ago today, we have been blessed with four more since then. It has been a blessing to be in their lives.

How did I obtain the title of “dude”?

After our first grandchild’s birth, my wife went over several titles for me. None of them seem to fit me or my personality. It was eventually our first grandchild who named me when he was able to talk and called me “dude” and I’ve been known as “dude” ever since.  I think it’s even more special that he was the one who named me. Dude sounds a lot cooler than other grandpa names anyway.

I have never had children of my own although I did have a niece and nephews in my previous life but was forced to sever ties with when that marriage ended.

Even with no children of my own, I can’t imagine my life without the children I have in my life now. They are all precious to me. I have learned to appreciate the time I have spent with them. There are times we were called on to babysit which were quite the experience. The first time was an eye-opener for me and I can say that first time I worked harder in those weeks more than anytime in my life.

We moved to another city over a year ago so we don’t see four of them as much as we once did but with today’s technology, it is a joy to see them grow through social media posts, text messages and FaceTime. Of course it is no substitute for visits but we can still remain close in some way.

Being a grandparent isn’t what I expected 15 years ago when I stepped into this life, but I can’t imagine missing this now. Spending time with the grandchildren is a joy. Although today’s generations expect grandparents to be default babysitters, it is nice to be thought of as more than just babysitting services. Besides, I’m getting too old to keep up with them now. One day they might be babysitting me in return.

As “dude” I understand my station in the family hierarchy of things. I’m not always a first thought but I’m very content with being included in their lives. I hope they know that I will be here for them as they grow up. I want to be a constant for them in their lives. I’m not perfect but I hope they will know that dude will be there for them.

Football Friday Night: Week 5

My teams were 2-1 this week with wins by Clinch County and Warner Robins while Villa Rica suffered their first loss of the season.

WARNER ROBINS 69, UNION GROVE 29
What a difference a week makes. After giving up a historical 70 points to Newton last week, Warner Robins got back on track scoring 69 points in their win over Union Grove. Warner Robins generated 450 yards of offense, produced a pick-six, returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns, forced a safety and added a field goal during their most complete scoring performance of the season. Warner Robins established control during a high-scoring first half behind quarterback Chandler Dyson and playmakers X’zavier “Zay” Cannon and Antavious Hawkins.  Dyson connected with Cannon for two touchdowns and found Hawkins for another. Hawkins also scored on runs of one and seven yards for a 36–22 advantage into halftime.

Next:  Friday at Eagle's Landing (0-4)

Warner Robins (3-2) will play the winless Golden Eagles this week.  Eagle's Landing lost to LaGrange two weeks ago 44-0 in the last game.  Warner Robins is 6-0 against Eagle's Landing winning in their last meeting 35-7 in 2023.  

CLINCH COUNTY 35, BACON COUNTY 0
Clinch County held Bacon County to 73 total yards. Traviian Miller passed for 70 yards and rushed for 61. Kyiis Mingo had six solo tackles and two tackles for loss. 

Next: Friday at Seminole County (1-3)

Seminole lost their last game to Thomasville 42-6 last week.  The Panthers are 11-1 against Seminole County.  They won their last meeting 35-6 in 2023.  The only loss in the series was 21-14 in 2013.

CASS 31, VILLA RICA 21
Cass took a 10-point lead on Kalil Charles’ 6-yard run with 1:19 left. Charles rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Noah Rogers was 10-of-17 passing for 185 yards and three touchdowns.Villa Rica played well against one of the top teams in Class 5A, but interceptions and turnovers-on-downs came back to haunt them in the loss.

Next:  Friday at Cartersville (4-0)

This week will be a big task for the Wildcats as they face the #1 ranked Purple Hurricanes in Cartersville.  Cartersville had a bye week last week after defeating West Forsyth 49-13 two weeks ago.  Villa Rica is 9-14 in their all-time series.  The teams last met in 2007 which Villa Rica won 47-12.  

Surviving Blindsides

Has life ever blindsided you?

Just when you felt life was going in a certain direction, there was a plot twist that you never expected.

  

That happened to me this week.  

Although it wasn’t a life- or-death event, it still rattled me a bit.

It’s like when people say that “stuff happens.”  (Maybe not exactly stuff but you know the saying)  

Life is unpredictable.  When the unexpected happens it is like getting the wind knocked out of you.  

I have learned that when this happens to me that I have to allow myself time to absorb the event and I know it will take me a few days to adjust.  

The important thing is not to panic or allow my emotions to react.  I have to take some time to settle my mind about what has happened.  I pray about it and leave it in God’s hands because ultimately there is nothing I can do to change it.  In these times we are reminded that we aren’t in control like we think we are. 

While we are surprised by life’s plot twists, God isn’t.  So why not trust Him?  I will admit that sometimes I freak out but I also allow myself some time to let my emotions settle down.  Right now as I continue to digest the latest blindside in my life, I also know that I have been through this before and I got through it.  It may not be something I prefer but I do have some history I can look back on.  People say that everything happens for a reason but that doesn’t help much when you are going through that reason.  Sometimes we never know the reason.  We simply just have to keep moving forward. 

We can’t possibly know it all.  We just live another day.  

I could give you a Bible verse or some witty cliche here but i won’t.  The bottom line is that the only way we handle the things that blindside us is to just go through it.  There are no shortcuts.  

So, I am adjusting my mindset to what has happened to me and recentering my focus.  It’s much like when we use our GPS for directions and we make the wrong turn, we had to re-adjust our course and follow the changes ahead.  

Don’t be rattled by times you are blindsided in life but take time to re-center yourself and refresh your mind.