Read the pages of a life that needs saving...
I’ve spent a great deal of my life chasing after adventures since I was a kid. I always tried finding things to get into, usually on my bike backpack in hand. Some good, some bad, stories to tell (stories not to tell) but what adventure doesn’t come with all the in between? The hardest adventure would be getting diagnosed with diabetes when I was 12 years old. Most of my adventures have the reality of dr appointments, medicine, shots, finger pricks, diets etc, but I never let it stop me from pushing forward to do all the things everyone else could do. I’ve traveled a small portion of the world, snowboarded down the mountains of New Mexico, swimming the beaches of Jamaica, meeting, hanging out back stage and traveling with some of my favorite musicians, setting stages and following tour busses, signed guitars and listed on the VIP.
My proudest adventure started one August afternoon on my way to work. Little did I know then but God secured my greatest gift, my wife, Ashley. I had someone to share my past stories with and to make new adventures with. She blessed me with 3 amazing beautiful children that I proudly loved as my own since day one. God knew I wanted a family and here they are. Along with becoming a family our own little side adventures were soon to begin. We are a baseball family, a band family, a color-guard family. If that isn’t enough to scream adventure I don’t know what to tell you. They are my drive to keep going, my strength to be the best versions of me I can be, the reason I fight so hard for life. No matter where I am they will always hear me, they will always know where I am! I am their biggest, proudest, loudest fan.
As I get older I realize I can not do life on my own and decided I needed to take my Spiritual adventure. After many trials at different churches I am proud to be a member of a great congregation and a place to call home. Citymark Church in League City has opened the door introducing me to God. I share most of my Tuesdays nights with the men’s group formed inside the church. These men have been stepping stones in our lives I will never have enough words to thank them for all they have done. We started with Sunday services but that just was not enough. I needed to give back a small portion of what God had promised on my life. I now dedicate a few hours of my time to volunteering with the safety crew and cameras. I seem to be a little slower these days but I wouldn't want a stronger more faith filled group supporting my every step.
I have pushed my whole life not letting my health stop me from living it to the fullest but there are other things attempting to stop now: CKD Stage 5 Kidney failure. I knew this was a part of the adventure I didn't want to take however I knew one day this is the path we would be on. Over the short time of a year I went from playing baseball with my son, pushing props with my daughters, playing softball with my church and date nights with my wife to hardly energy to make it to the grocery store. I hurt in my bones and swell in my feet. I take more medicine today than I have in my life combined it seems. I have a restricted diet and physical demands. After mental and physical testing I got on the kidney transplant list, got my information out there to find the perfect match. Someone willing to see all I still have left to give in the world. The toxins built up inside my blood even with taking all precautions to keep them away. There was no avoiding it , the day came, a 38 year old husband and father of 3 on dialysis. What free hours I had on Monday/Wednesday/Fridays are now spent at a dialysis center. Not only that but I'm currently on leave from work as my body can't handle the Texas summers. Many adventures I'm missing out on or having to watch from the sidelines. I'm tired but I still have a life to fight for. I have purpose in this world. Time to get back to the adventures.
I'm praying for a transplant but all on Gods time any help financially, donating a kidney, a hug, a prayer, sharing our adventures or simply a "hey how are you doing" is taken to the heart. Thank you all for just being who you are and taking the time to be apart of my life.
I love you all.