In Due Time

I wake up, look to my left to check my phone...but no word. I lay back down for about 10 mins more and check it again, still no word. I then get up wash my face, brush my teeth and grab my workout clothes. With every step i take, my daughter is on my mind. 2000 miles away all i can do i pray that she is safe and understands the decision i made to come to houston.

I workout, listening to the marvin sapp station on pandora and i zone out. 2 hours later i lay down a towel in my car to hold the fully sweat soaked shirt i was wearing. Crank my car and start praying for my little girl. Driving home, i think of all the things that i want to teach her and i use that as motivation to stay positive. I walk back in my house and shower, then breakfast waits for me on the stove. Its the simple things in life that make the people in it so special. I sit and talk for a while, house shoes by the couch still looking at my phone for a message or picture or something...but it never comes.

I hop in my car and drive around houston like i used to do and realize alot has changed. They way i viewed the city, the way i seen the city and what i thought about it. I have changed so much and didnt know. I once said, "i never wanted to live in houston again" but the reason i said it was because...well i dont know. I was the person that made people in cali (that had never been to houston) respect houston for talent. Riding with the windows down, thanking God for my health and daughter, i start to become brand new.

Later that day, my niece had a basketball game. It feels good to be able to access my family when i want to. I can drive over to moms house, head over to my sisters house, hit up my aunts house anytime i want to and not have to worry about not seeing them for years. I gave up so much and missed out on so much of my family accomplishments until my nephew who was 5'4 when i left is now 6'1. My nieces call me on the phone daily and check on me, my cell phone is back ringing like im a celebrity and my view on life is completely different. But like i was saying, my niece had a game. I went to the school and she got so shy when she seen me walk in. In my family i am like the "cool" strick uncle and they never want to let me down.

My niece hadnt scored the whole season and was playing regular, well nothing to brag about...actually her brother (which is my nephew who is now 6'1, plays on the boys b ball team) told me how bad she plays and that i should come and watch him play lol. I thought i would watch her instead. The night before she called me and asked me to teach her what the positions were...its things like that that makes me feel home is where the heart is. We went over everything and she caught on quickly...quicker than i thought she would. So i walk in the gym and sit in the stands, anxiously waiting for her to take the court and im nervous like im playing but i didnt look it.

They meet at the half court and shake hands and then i come out with the camera and start taping. My younger sister "peaches" was in the stands too, along with 3 of my nieces, and one of my nephews...big family i know. They start playing and im in the stands like its college b ball yelling and calling the refs out. At about the second quater, my niece was taking a shot and got fouled. She went to the line and as she was waiting for the ref to throw her the ball, she looks at me in the stands and knods her head. Her first freethrow was nothing but nets, you could see the hug smile from behind. Then the second shot was all net and she start dancing at the freethrow line and the other team already took the ball out and headed the other way lol.

All of a sudden while i sat there in the stands, i felt this huge feeling of pride and i got a little emotional. I had left them all for 3 and a half years only to return worse. You never know the future but i leaped on faith and it shot me. My niece said, "i played better cause you was there". Needless to say, they lost the game but she ended up with 16rebounds, 2steals, 2assist, 2blocks and 2points. I took her for ice cream after the game. We was in the car singing all the way out.

To be able to see my nieces, nephews, uncles and aunts and hear them not only say how much they miss me but also show it, i regret alot. I dont want my daughter to ever feel like i will ever be out of her life, i am a great son, great uncle, great nephew great brother and a GREAT father. My daughter is my heart and my life and no matter what a person or people do or say, our relationship will never fall short of love. I cant wait for her to meet all her family...in due time...in due time.