Believe In Me

One of the great ironies of my life

Thus far, my face looks like it’s ten years younger than I am, and my body feels like it's 30 years older than it is. But as I am getting older, I also am learning that I must maintain discipline in my sleep schedule, or I will disrupt it for days to come. So here I am, laying in bed, can’t sleep with a whole bunch of things running through my mind as this next year of life approaches. Wow, does it go by fast. I graduated from High School over ten years ago and remember it like yesterday.

As my mind ventures back those ten years, it goes even further to when I was in Jr. High. Yikes! Not that anyone has fond memories of those years, but mine weren’t especially memorable for a few reasons. I remember I didn’t get the best grades in school; I was overweight and, at times, made fun of for it. I was also very laid back and passive. I had zero confidence and was incredibly insecure. I also, other than my dad, didn’t have very many older guys in my life who took me under their wings. Who affirmed me, encouraged me, challenged me, set an example for me, or even just cared about me.

I do remember this one guy, though, named Tim. One day at school, he asked me (aka told me) to come play basketball on Saturday morning at 7 am. Most would be like, dude, dream on that is my sleeping in time, but not me. I was ecstatic; this older, cool, strong dude wanted me to come play basketball with him. It might as well have been Larry Bird himself asking me. Not to get all dramatic, but I was so excited; the night before, I meticulously laid out my outfit, and I could barely sleep. It was like a kid the night before Christmas. That was the beginning of many Saturdays of playing ball. In fact, that was one of many times I would spend with this guy named Tim.

He would work hard all the time. There were no “off plays” and “I’ll try harder next time” with Tim. He expected a lot from you; in fact, he expected your all. He would get so excited when you would make a nice play, too! You felt like you were in game 7 of the NBA finals. He would always stack the team up against himself, making him the underdog, and then would inspire you to rise to the occasion, overcome all odds, and shock the world! In reality, nobody cared but let a guy dream, would ya?  I didn’t know it at the time, but Tim was doing more than playing basketball with me; he was teaching me lessons about life that I will never forget—things like bringing glory to God in all that you do. Never make excuses. Always tell the truth. Enjoy life and laugh often. Be a faithful friend to others.

The list could go on and on, but there was one thing I learned more than any other, and that is to believe in others even when they don’t believe in themselves. Tim believed in me. I was never the most gifted or talented but Tim looked beyond those things. He cared more about character and integrity than reputation. Tim cared more about my heart than he did anything I had to offer.

Trust me, he and I couldn’t be more different. I cry about once a day. Tim cries about once a decade. I grew up playing dolls with my sisters (I know it’s sad), Tim grew up playing guns with his brothers. I get emotional watching the Hallmark Channel with my mother; Tim doesn’t even know what the Hallmark Channel is. But even though we are and were very different, he still believed in me. He still took the time to care about me and show me that I mattered. That I could make a difference in a kid’s life if I just took the time to pay attention to it.

This is a picture of our last time playing Saturday morning ball together after all of these years. We are both a part of changing chapters in life. But please let this be a reminder to not only myself but to you as well. Take the time to be some kid's hero. To believe in them and show them you really do care about his life and his heart. To know and understand that even if you are very different you still have the power to make his day just like Tim made mine!

I just wanted to say, from my heart, thank you. Thank you for all the lessons, thank you for all the laughs and thank you for being my friend.

Strength and honor,

Jerry’s Kid