Saturday, September 28, 2013

Happy Birthday, Skyler


Skyler, 

Two years ago today my life changed forever. This is the day that you were born. I remember holding you in my arms and thinking to myself..."is there a more beautiful creature on God's earth?" There wasn't. And I still feel that way today.

You and I have a special relationship. My friends told me that it would be this way. Your Uncle Damon told me that it would be this way. It was hard for me to conceive because you were not here. Once you arrived, it made more sense. One of my friends told me that you will always be the apple of my eyes. That is so true. I have a different relationship with your brothers. I love them as much as I love you...but it's different. Girls are different. A father's love for his daughter is different. A girl's love for her DADDY is different. I am the first man that you'll ever love. There will be men that will come and go throughout your life. But not your DADDY. I'll always be here. There are times when I look at you and just wish that you can remain the smart, adorable little girl that you are right now. But that's not realistic. I will teach you the values and lessons that you will carry with you and pass on to your children. And when somebody asks you to do something that you aren't supposed to do...you'll utter these words..."I can't do that. My DADDY will KILL me!" 

You are a gift from God. And I thank HIM for you. Happy Birthday to my princess. Happy Birthday, Skyler. Daddy loves you!

Love, 
Daddy











Thursday, September 26, 2013

the genesis...


August 4, 1991

I had waited for this day for a long time! I couldn't believe it was finally here. I remember it like it was yesterday. Two months prior to this day, I had graduated from high school. But this day had come...the day that I was to leave to go off to college. 

Some people would be nervous or anxious about leaving home. Not me. I had mentally prepared myself for this day for a long time. My school, South Carolina State University, was located just an hour and a half away. Not too far away from home...but not too close either. Graduating from high school wasn't a big deal for me. As much I loved my days at Wilson High School, I wasn't sad to be leaving. College was the place that I had dreamed of being. When I watched "A Different World" on tv, I envisioned my college experience being just like that. It wasn't far from it. LOL. Nevertheless, I was eagerly anticipating college. I had my concerns about leaving my mom and my brother, who was entering his sophomore year at Wilson. I knew he'd be fine. I knew mom would be fine. She had prepared me and we both knew it. My only other concern was my crew. We had become so close over the years. We all were headed to different colleges. Two of my other boys were headed to the military. I had my cousin, Eric, with me at South Carolina State and my boy JFresh was next door at Claflin University. I wanted the crew to remain as close as we had always been. I wasn't sure how it was gonna happen. There was no such thing as email nor free long distance calls. I also had football. I knew that it would keep me more than busy. 

Back to that day, I remember going to church then coming home and eating dinner. I remember the mood in the house was very weird. We didn't say much at dinner. I packed the van and my mom was going to drive me to school. My brother, Damon, didn't come. I remember walking out of my room and down the hall to his room. I was going to tell him goodbye. Deep down, I was dreading that walk. It seemed like it took me forever just to take those few steps. I walked in his room and he had his head down. This would be the first time that we would be apart. We had endured our parents messy divorce together. He lifted his head and I could see tears in his eyes. My eyes welled up. I gave him a huge and I gave him a quick pep talk that any big brother would. I told him he'd be ok. I reassured him that I was just a phone call away. I walked down the stairs and jumped in the van with my mom. That was the last day that I lived in my mom's house...last time that I lived in my hometown, Florence, SC...last time in the nest. It was time for me to go.

Although Eric was going to be a freshman like me, he didn't have to come to school for another 3 wks. I was on campus early because of football camp as we were preparing for the upcoming season. When I got on campus, I didn't know anybody. There were no other students on campus...just the football team. There is a HUGE difference between high school football and college football. I found that out very quick. For the first time, there were players REALLY better than me. Doubtful thoughts crept in. I was beginning to feel a little homesick. I remember wondering out loud if I was cut out for college football. I called my parents. Two phone calls...one common theme...you can do anything that you want but you have to work at it. And they were right. By the time school started, the homesick feelings left. I learned that I would be red-shirted (meaning I could practice but couldn't play in the games until the next year). It gave me a chance to get stronger and better. I needed that.

They say you learn more between birth and the age of 6 than you learn for the rest of your life. Well, I think I learned more during my freshman year of college than you could learn in two lifetimes. I learned...how to have productive days on very little sleep...how to party...about people and their ways...about the game that I fell in love with...about family...about women...about love...and so much more. I thought I knew it all before August 4th...but I knew very little.

More importantly, I found me and I was slowly becoming the man that I was raised and groomed to be. 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Off tha Dome - Random Topics...12 RADIO SHOW


Tune in to the 12 RADIO SHOW tonight at 9 pm EST. The 12 RADIO SHOW is the most innovative and interactive show on BlogTalkRadio. 

Tonight's Topic - Off tha Dome - Random Topics (pop culture, dating, relationships, music, sports, sex, current events

co-hosted by ShellyShell

Join us as we discuss various topics in a deep but comical conversation. Don't miss it!

(347)215-7162 LIVE CALL IN NUMBER

www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle


ShellyShell


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Hip Hop - The Aging and Profitable Art Form...12 RADIO SHOW


Tune in to the 12 RADIO SHOW tonight at 9 pm EST. The 12 RADIO SHOW is the most innovative and interactive show on BlogTalkRadio. 

Tonight's Topic - Hip Hop - The Aging & Profitable Art Form

co-hosted by Rawdawgbuffalo

Join us as we discuss business side of hip hop, the origin of hip hop, and where it is headed. Don't miss it!

(347)215-7162 LIVE CALL IN NUMBER

www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle



Wednesday, September 4, 2013

NFL Preview...12 RADIO SHOW


Tune in to the 12 RADIO SHOW tonight at 9pm EST. The 12 RADIO SHOW is the most innovative and interactive show on BlogTalkRadio. Join the host, 12kyle, as he informs and entertains.

TOPIC - NFL Preview 

co-hosted by OJ from In the Clutch & Mike Robinson from Sleeper Athletes (www.sleeperathletes.com)


Join us as we preview the upcoming NFL season. Don't just listen to the show...participate in the discussion in the 12 RADIO SHOW chatroom. Or you can call and speak with us live on the air to talk about your team or to ask any questions! If you're an NFL fan, you DON'T want to miss this show!

(347)215-7162 live call in number

www.blogtalkradio.com/12kyle