There was a season where I was writing about my dreams fairly regularly, but it’s been a fat minute since I’ve shared one. I’ve continued to have them—I just haven’t been writing them.
All my life my dreams have been constant, vivid, and unforgettable. Here’s one from a few weeks ago.
I was lying on a cold, hard floor, staring up at a tall ceiling lined with rows of fluorescent lights. It felt like a large commercial building. I could feel the cold pressing against my back and running all the way down my legs.
I kept thinking, Where am I?
I tried to move. I tried to lift my head, but it took everything I had. After several attempts, I finally managed to raise it just enough to look around.
I was in a large grocery store.
I could see the produce section. Women were shopping as though everything was perfectly normal. Then I ran out of strength and laid my head back down.
I remember thinking, How in the world did I end up here?
About that time, a very pretty woman in her 40s, with long brown hair and kind green eyes, knelt beside me, holding the gentlest smile, and asked, “What are you doing on the floor?”
I didn’t have an answer.
I just froze.
For what felt like about ten seconds, I just got deep into my thoughts as I looked at her, searching for words. Finally I said, “I don’t know… I’m not normally like this.”
She looked at me with such kindness, and in the softest, most sincere tone she said,
“Get up. I’ll help you.”
She reached out her hand, and I took it.
She helped me to my feet, handed me a shopping cart, and together we walked the aisles while she helped me find the things I needed.
When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I don’t want to grow up… I’m a Toys R Us kid… they got the best… for so much less… you’ll really flip your lid… from bikes to trains to video games… it’s the greatest toy store there is… gee wiz… I don’t want to grow up… cuz baby… if did? I wouldn’t be a Toys R Us kid… 🤷♂️
Sports have always been a huge part of my life. They’ve been there for as long as I can remember. I come from a long line of athletes. My grandfather even had an opportunity to pitch for the Detroit Tigers, but he chose to serve in World War II instead. My father was a great athlete too, and he was also my coach growing up, teaching me the game—and a lot about life—along the way…
I love a lot of sports, but my two main ones are American football and baseball. I played Little League all through my childhood and into my teens. I didn’t just throw on a uniform and participate—I excelled. I was a star, haha. I’m normally pretty humble, but I want to be accurate here so you can feel what I’m putting down 😅 I was mainly a pitcher, but in between starts I played shortstop and left field, doing whatever my team needed… I also hit for power and average.
In little league.. I once made an insane diving catch in left field to win the game… the crowd went nuts… bum-rushed me and carried me off the field on their shoulders cheering haha…
Sports were where I learned who I was when things got hard…
I kept it going into junior high and high school, playing both baseball and football. On the football field I lined up at quarterback, wide receiver, and at cornerback on defense, and I excelled there too. The dream was always to try and go pro in baseball, but along the way I got pulled into the music scene and ended up chasing that route instead. Even then, I never really left sports behind. I kept playing, jumping into league softball over the years and staying connected to the game any way I could.
As far as watching sports, my heart stays close to home. I love the Atlanta Braves and Falcons, and when it comes to college football, I’m a huge Georgia fan—Go Dawgs! Major League Baseball, the NFL, and college football are my mainstays, but I also enjoy basketball and golf, both playing and watching. Sports have always been more than just games to me. I’m thankful I grew up the way I did, grateful for the chance to play, I miss them days…
My first year in little league… im holding the bat wrong in this pic.. my hands are opposite how they should be lol
1 Corinthians 9:24–26 (NIV)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize… Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever…
Heart of Loia `'.,°~ 