Category Archives: Blog Posts

Several years ago I woke to four smiling faces and a tray with several globs of food on a plate and a large glass of orange juice, which I don’t drink very often. The “food” was some combination of pancakes and eggs whipped up by my four girls who wanted to make me breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day. … Continue reading →

Over on the football field, a giant purple tiger paw outlined in white lies in the center of the turf field, replacing the one that used to be painted on the grass each week. Every player from both past and present has understood the importance of protecting what that paw represents—their house and their home field in Tiger Country. Before any of the advertising campaigns began highlighting the pride and tradition for defending “Our House,” this paw had a significance of its own. Back in 1996, Lovett, a team from Atlanta and a huge rival for the Tigers, came here to play. One former Tiger from the class of 1998 was quoted in huge bold letters on the football page of the yearbook in a simple statement: “I hate Lovett,” quantifying the feelings that the Darlington players had for this team. As was a tradition for their away games, the Lovett football players brought water from the Chattahoochee River that runs behind their school and poured it onto that Tiger paw as a symbol that they were bringing their home field here. Upon seeing this act, the Darlington coaches told the players what had occurred and created such a frenzy that they had to hold back several of the players from charging the field to defend their paw before the game even began. After calming down, the Tigers proceeded to defeat Lovett that night decisively 46-27. Incidentally, some of the seniors from that year had younger brothers that were destined to be a part of the magical 1998 team, and these young men had surely witnessed this event and relived it through the stories that circulated afterward. This event was just one more of the many elements that added to the bubbling undercurrent of the explosive championship ahead. If you stroll along the edge of the bleachers at Chris Hunter Stadium today, you can almost smell the popcorn drifting through the air and feel the electricity building as your mind effortlessly conjures a sea of students and fans filing into their seats, some coming to socialize, but most with the intent of watching their beloved team. Memories surface of the familiar presence of smoke hanging over the stadium at game time that was a unique phenomenon created from the position of the concessions stand grill near the playing field. There is a palpable sense of pride that originates from the sacrifice of blood and sweat spilled by all the young men that have played at “The Lakeside.” Even though energy and pride have always existed among the players every year, something was different in 1998, something that was built on the backs of the teams before them. Something you could feel growing after each win. A hope. A sense of possibility. A dream. And a belief that anything was possible. Players and coaches would later describe it in different ways, and each would remember a moment when it all began to come together, but they would all agree that something unusual was driving them forward. So while our country grappled with President Bill Clinton’s upcoming impeachment and a home run contest consumed the baseball world, the seniors of this 1998 team would be able to boast that they had a 35-4 record for their last three years. They would complete their journey by playing their final game on a cold night only six days before Christmas in front of a crowd of over 6,000 people, most of whom willed them to lose, in a town far away from their small quiet home. … Continue reading →

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Understanding why things happen is not always easy. I tried to touch on this in two novels, A Rose For Jonathan and Quiver. One of my characters in the first novel asks why things happen. Another character answers that they don't always understand it either. I think as a Christian sometimes we feel like we have to have all the answers, but we don't. I think being honest with someone who is hurting is much better. The Bible gives us a lot of insight into many things, but it doesn't answer everything. I don't think we can handle all the answers and it's not important to me to always know why anymore. I stand on the faith that no matter what, He will see me through. Not long ago, I knew three families that each lost a small baby within only two weeks. I knew each family was hurting more than I could understand, but it was tough on me too. Not long after that, we had some friends who lost their 18-year-old daughter. Those moments didn’t just put me on my knees--they yanked me there. I was raw and torn by how to talk to them and help them through such a terrible time. In many ways, several of the family members ministered more to me than I did to them. I marveled at how the Grace of God enveloped them in their pain to allow enough space for them to each work through their grief one day at a time, and even one moment at a time. We cannot understand His plan or His way. The Bible clearly says in Isaiah 55:8 that His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. I like the New Living Translation of this verse the best. It says, … Continue reading →

Spring is such an exciting time. I remember when our children were in school, one of them had a teacher that had us gather “signs of spring” like a broken bird egg or a flower for them to bring to school. Our searching would lead on long walks while we looked around at the buds on the trees and many of the early blooming flowers. This year, I was out on a trail hiking with my husband when we came across this group of daffodils that someone had planted years ago. Nearby were the remnants of an old home that was now reduced to only a few stones. I wondered how long the flowers had been there and about the people who had planted them. My thoughts meandered through several stories that I created in my head about the family that had once lived there. … Continue reading →

So many emotions flooded her young mind as she laid quietly in the dark. Her body was changing, and soon she would no longer be able to hide the secret that was swelling within her. Telling everyone and telling no one. Both seemed best and yet she was unsure. Her tears fell both from joy and fear, but she felt the strength to endure whatever would come her way. She was certain she would be safe even when the traditions of her culture might dictate otherwise. … Continue reading →

I recently watched part of a series on the Medal of Honor recipients. The commentator mentioned that of the 40 Billion that have served our country, only roughly 3600 have ever received this award. The man honored in the show that I happened to see was named Sargeant Sylvester Antolak. His actions in WWII helped our forces eventually take Rome, one of the first major Axis cities to fall. This man and his fellow soldiers were pinned down by the enemy fire behind a wall. Instead of staying where it was safe or trying to retreat, Sergeant Antolak ran right into a spray of enemy bullets, taking three large round hits over the 200 yards that he covered. Each time he was hit and knocked to the ground, he would pull himself up and then run toward the bullets again. Even with a shattered humerus in his right arm, he continued to carry his machine gun and shoot as he ran. He eventually led his group to overtake the enemy and secure that area. The soldiers with him reported that even the German soldiers were in awe of this young man’s actions as he refused to quit. Later that same day, Sergeant Antolak lost his life as he continued his heroic deeds pushing forward deep into the enemy territory. … Continue reading →

The end of fall sports seasons is near. Many athletes have completed their games while others are now entering playoff competitions. Even though my children are now all gone, I still enjoy attending events to watch other kids compete. Besides, it’s the best way that I know to see my husband more. … Continue reading →

 While my husband helps coach, I take pictures of the football team. It’s just something that I do with my nervous energy—something I can give back to the families so that they can sit and enjoy the games. … Continue reading →

Winning. That’s the goal of every season. Years ago, there was a group of young men who began their season on the football field. There wasn’t much hope since they only had three returning starters and they had lost every single game when they played JV. … Continue reading →

The release date is October 1, 2018, but... ...the reunion is this weekend so... I'm releasing early! The print edition is LIVE now HERE The ebook will still say "Pre-order" but will be sent out on September 20! SURPRISE! Happy reading everyone! Spread the word! … Continue reading →