I created this image as a Christmas gift for my brother Graham in December. It’s some shots I took of him on my first visit to Fort Smith to see my niece.

He came for a great visit this weekend. With a young family and his job at the church, he doesn’t have the huge reserves of “free time” that I do. But when I found out my man Tres could hook us up with a pair of tickets to see the Mavericks play the Pacers, I called him up and it was on.

It was a great time. Graham got to hang out for the end of my fourth period class and then got to meet a few of the great people I work with, including friend and bandmate Darren “The Axeman Cometh” Ryan (that’s a new nickname which hopefully won’t catch on).

Then we grabbed some Chipotle and went to the house to chill a bit. We had a great conversation on the way to the AAC and after two missed attempts at getting into the parking lot, we finally got into the arena. The game was great (Mavs won 116-97, JKidd had 12 assists) and the entire experience was dazzling. Kudos to you, Mark Cuban.

After that, we headed back to Lewisville for Bahama Buck’s and victory tacos courtesy of the Mavs’ 100-point performance and Taco Bueno.

When we got back to the house, Graham strapped on a few therapeutic electrodes to his back and we watched a couple of episodes of “Who’s #1″, “Cheap Seats”, and the greatness of “Fight Quest” (Krav Maga-style).

In the morning, we met about eight guys from my home group and the Village at Weck’s for breakfast. Graham and I both had the stuffed papas and I think we both left feeling satisfied. I was happy Graham got to meet so many of my friends, since I talk about he and Leslie and Ava Grace a lot. The conversation was spirited, fun and fruitful.

After breakfast, we said our goodbyes and led Graham out to Highway 121 (five of us had to make a run to Ikea). A few more hours on the road and Graham was back home with his family, in time to spend a few moments with them before they left the next day to visit family during Leslie’s spring break.

It was a short but full visit. I love spending time with Graham. I’m thankful God has blessed me with such rich bonds with all of my family. It’s amazing how God has changed all of our hearts. There once was a time when we couldn’t be in the same room together for fear of bodily injury and/or property damage. Now he’s a friend and spiritual mentor.

I’m hoping he’ll get to come down again soon, especially in October, so we can make another drive south for SCREAMS. And I’m looking forward to my next trip up to Fort Smith to see him, Leslie and my sweet little Ava Grace.