My mom called my older brother and me into her room, saying my dad called and explained my Uncle Shayne had been charged with a felony.
At 10 years old, I didn’t know what to think, I panicked in sadness for hours as I cried myself to sleep on my mom’s floor.
I grew up extremely close with my extended family, but just like that I’d realized my uncle wouldn’t be around to hang out anymore.
Through all the time I’d spent with him alongside my dad and brother, we’d formed a bond through so many joyous and humorous memories we’d made.
I couldn’t stop crying when I recognized we weren’t going to be able to make more.
Shortly, the final family lunch with my Uncle Shayne took place. The entire family enjoyed a nice home cooked lunch in the afternoon.
After lunch, we made our way to the driveway for the ultimate match of pickup basketball, where it was my other two uncles, my dad, brother and myself playing three on three.
The situation slipped my mind when I got the basketball in my hands. We each would make NBA worthy moves and maybe commit a foul or two, as we left it on the court in ugly fashion.
Those games brought immense laughter and joy, as we played over competitively we giggled in the hot summer sun. I don’t recall who won, but rather the joy of the moment that still makes me smile today.
As our best-of-three pavement series ended, more family members began to trickle outdoors as the sun set. For the only time ever, everyone played basketball in a game of P-I-G, from the oldest to youngest.
We all cheered, talked trash, and bonded over something so meaningless, but so meaningful to me today.
As the game concluded, two pastors from our home church pulled up and joined us.
I followed as the entire family went inside and gathered together in a prayer circle. Our pastors said a few words and then we all began praying for my uncle’s upcoming prison sentence.
The weight of the situation hit me as tears ran down my face amongst others sorrow in prayer. Just as the time came for everyone to go their separate ways, it started to set in that he was going to prison.
I embraced my uncle one last time with a big hug and then he made his way to his SUV. As I watched his car drive away, I was frozen in the driveway, stuck in the reality he was serving 20 years in prison.
It’s hard to believe that moment 10 years ago was the last time I’ve seen my uncle. As I’ve grown into a man, that memory as a 10-year-old boy seems like yesterday.
As time has passed we’ve kept in touch through prison phone calls a couple times a year, always updating him on my life.
It’s amazing how God works, as at 48 and 21 years old, my uncle and I will graduate from the same college at the same time.
While I’m pursuing my degree at Oklahoma Baptist University, he pursues his through the OBU Prison Divinity program. He’s not only become a college student, but more importantly a leader in his jail as he pastors the inhouse church.
God changed his life for the better in his sentence and now he’s helping other men experience life change as well.
I can’t wrap my head around how such a damaging and burdensome experience has turned into something so beautiful.
My uncle has grown exponentially in many aspects and been changed by his sentence for the better.
While he gained the titles of inmate and prisoner, he now holds the title of leader, pastor and soon to be, college graduate.
Prison is supposed to take away your freedoms as punishment, but Uncle Shayne has seized opportunities and is living with more purpose than ever.