Holly Michael's Writing Straight

~ Connecting and Inspiring Along Life's Crooked Lines by Author Holly Michael

Holly Michael's Writing Straight

Tag Archives: Wisconsin Badgers

Brotherly Love

10 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Holly Michael in Betsy Byrne, Books, Christianity, Diabetes, Family, First and Goal, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, Nick Byrne

≈ 8 Comments

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Author, Best Devotional for boys, Best Devotional for Teens, Best Sports Devotional, Bestseller, Betsy Byrne, book, Brother, Brotherly Love, Christian, Christianity, devotional, diabetes, First and Goal, First and Goal What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up, football, Holly Michael, Houston Texan, Jake Byrne, Kansas City Cheifs, New Orlean Saint, NFL, Nick Byrne, San Diego Charger, type 1, type 1 diabetes, Type One Diabetes, Type Won, What Football Taught Me About Never Giving UP, Wisconsin Badgers

One of my favorite devotions from my son Jake’s book (an A-Z football devotional) – FIRST AND GOAL – What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up

Position – Eleven players from each team are on the field at a time, and each player has a position, role, and responsibility to complete the offense, defense, or special teams.

I am a firstborn. My little brother, Nick, five years younger than me, was the last addition to the gang. In his baby years, he was happiest in one position–cradled in my lap, watching the screen as I played video games. At first it was a pain, but I got used to playing with him.

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Playing video games with Nick.

My favorite games were Madden sports games. It wasn’t long before Nick’s position changed. He soon sat beside me, holding his own controller. Later, he was a real competitor, learning the football positions and eventually becoming a formidable challenger.

At age 17 I zipped up my suitcase, ready to leave for college.

“Let’s play one more game before you go.” Nick wiped a tear on his sleeve.

I took my position on the floor with Nick beside me. He beat me. I didn’t even let him. Soon the game ended. The hardest thing about leaving for college was watching my little brother tear up when I said my final goodbye.

While I was in college, I got a call from Nick. “Hey, I’m with my friends, playing you on Madden NCAA 2012.”

By that time I was actually in the college football video game, and he was proud to be picking me as a player. “Give me extra strength,” I said. “Pump up my muscles.”

“Right now I’m giving you a really huge butt and little chicken legs.”

Chuckles came through the phone.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another (Romans 12:10 nkjv).

Through the laughter I could hear Nick’s pride and love. When he was a kid, he’d sometimes drive me nuts always wanting to hang out with me and my friends, but I had done my best to bring him into my world. It’s what a big brother should do. Most of my friends were cool with Nick hanging out with us.

Now when we get together, I want to spend all my free time hanging out with Nick and his friends.

Nick and his teammate Daniel Cadona.

Nick and his teammate Daniel Cadona.

He’s also a football player, a tight end. Same position I played through high school, college, and into the NFL.

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Nick, a Ragin’ Cajun @ The University of Louisiana – Lafayette

There’s nothing like having a brother, especially one like Nick. God says to give preference to one another. That means putting that person first, be it a brother or one who is like a brother to you. The paybacks are great.

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Sister Betsy and Nick

With Nick at a college football camp, giving him a few pointers while I was with the New Orleans Saints.

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Nick, sister Betsy

*****

So proud of my kiddos, Jake, Betsy and Nick and so pleased that they are all the best of friends–from childhood to adulthood. First and GoalThe devotional above is an excerpt from Jake’s Book, FIRST AND GOAL – WHAT FOOTBALL TAUGHT ME ABOUT NEVER GIVING UP, now available from most all booksellers. Published by Harvest House Publishers 

Bio for Jake: Jake Byrne grew up in Rogers, Arkansas. A type 1 diabetic since the age of fourteen, he has since been proactive combating the disease and mentoring diabetic youth. He played football for the University of Wisconsin as a tight end, and went on to compete in the NFL. Originally an undrafted free agent who signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2012, he has also been a Houston Texan, Kansas City Chief, and San Diego Charger.

Jake blogs at www.typewon.net.

Facebook Page (Type Won): www.facebook.com/typewon1

Twitter: @sugarfreejb82

Instagram: Jakebyrne81

Email: typewonquestions@gmail.com

First and Goal Book Page: https://www.facebook.com/FirstAndGoalTypeWon

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Jake Update: I’m so Charged about this!

02 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by Holly Michael in Diabetes, Family, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne

≈ 35 Comments

Tags

#81, Blessings, Blog, brothers, diabetes, Faith, family, football, football blessings, Holly Michael, Jake Byrne, NFL, Nick Byrne, ragin Cajuns, San Diego Chargers, sports, T1, tight end, type 1 diabetes, Type One Diabetes, type1, University of Loiusiana-Lafayette, University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Badgers, www.writingstraight.com

image

Yep, that’s a picture Jake took in the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS locker room today! Yeah, that’s right! Our boy is a tight end for the San Diego Chargers!

We are so grateful to God for this blessing. Thank you all for your prayers. After playing a great pre-season game on Thursday, Jake got cut from the Houston Texans, but was picked up on Sunday by the San Diego Chargers. Not bad, Jake! Even Tim Tebow and many others who got cut didn’t get picked up by another team. The NFL is not for the faint of heart! What a crazy few days with lots of prayers. On Monday Jake plays his first game against guess who? The Texans. Lol!

Romans 8:28 is coming to my mind.  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

About the photo above: Sent a group text to the kids this morning. Jake replied with the above photo and: “Guess who is also rocking the 81.” 

Youngest son Nick is #81 (For the Ragin Cajuns-University of Louisiana-Lafayette).

Nick texted: That’s what I’m talking about.

Then Jake texted back: I thought for once I’d copy you.

Betsy and I replied: Awwww!!!

What keepers these kids are, right?! So sweet that Jake took his younger brothers college number. In high school, Nick took Jake’s high school number, #1. Here’s both boys at a football camp Nick attended. Big brother giving little brother some advice. Picture taken by daughter Betsy.

jakeNick

We are all so excited abut this news about Jake and so proud of him for so many reasons. Jake has type one diabetes and really wants to do what he can for the diabetes community. His twitter reads: Jake Byrne San Diego Charger, Former Wisconsin TE, Type 1 Diabetic. Passion for helping youth with diabetes, feel free to ask me questions and advice.

Follow Jake on Twitter @sugarfreejb82 and you can follow my blog for future updates too!

Thanks be to God for this wonderful news! Going to be a great football season! Go Chargers! Go Ragin Cajuns! Go #81s!

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Walking on Water

09 Wednesday May 2012

Posted by Holly Michael in Christianity, Crooked Lines, Diabetes, Family, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, Prayer Request

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

agents, Blog, Christianity, Crooked Lines, diabetes, doubt, Faith, Holly Michael, Jake Byrne, Jesus, juvenile diabetes, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Novel, Peter, publisher, type 1 diabetes, walking on water, Wisconsin Badgers, www.writingstraight.com

For the last four years, while my son Jake was a starting tight-end for the Wisconsin Badgers, I was writing and editing my first novel. We both proclaimed our lofty dreams when we were children. NFL player. Novelist. Using the talents God gave us, we both worked hard and honed our talents, even through a myriad of challenges, including Jake’s diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

In an earlier blog, Novelist Aspirations and NFL Dreams, I shared about a mother-son connection that allowed four-year-old Jake’s fears to travel from his dreams into mine. “Connections,” is the theme of this blog; to connected to each other to inspire and share about life and writing.

The connections between my son and I continue. When Jake earned recognition in the Rose Bowl, I earned an award in a major writing contest. Jake got an agent at the same time I got an agent. Not an easy task. Getting an agent means someone, other than yourself, believes in your talents and is willing to invest in you.

Jake signed with the New Orleans Saints. He survived Rookie Camp and we are looking forward to the football season. Go Saints! My novel is being shopped around at publishing houses. Newbies in being a NFL player and a Novelist, we can’t help but wonder, “Will they like us? How far will we go?”

All of us experience moments of, “Wow! I made it this far. Do I have the talent, the strength, the ability to come out from the cusp of this dream and live it?”  But a life of faith is about perseverance, taking risks, and moving forward, knowing God is with us.

Yet sometimes it seems we are walking on water and could sink at any time. Consider Peter’s attempt to walk on water to get to Jesus from Matthew 14:25-31: Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.

“It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!l It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Peter could not walk on water on his own power. He asks Jesus to tell him to come, in faith, knowing that it’s God’s power that will make it happen. In any situation, if we pray and ask God to lead us, He will.

But when Peter saw the wind, and looked into the troubled waters, he was afraid, and began to sink. The wind can be any threat to our dreams and can come in the form of a moment of self-doubt, a discouraging word from another, or in the form of a physical condition. But when we, as Christian’s, commit ourselves, our plans, our lives to God, we can trust that the power of God will sustain us.

Maybe at times, like Peter, we get into troubled waters and doubt God’s power in our situation. We cry, “Lord, save me.” That in itself keeps us afloat. Jesus will always immediately reach out His hand and catch us. Why do we have such little faith at times?

I expressed to Jake that it feels like we are walking on water now. It seems a miracle for both of us to have come this far. While we have worked hard, we understand that we haven’t come this far on our own. The power of God is as much a part of both of our life’s walk as our breathing. We have committed our lives and our careers to Him. We are confident that if we keep our eyes on Christ, He will allow us mere humans to do the impossible, to walk on water, to achieve things we could not otherwise imagine.

We walk on in faith, praying for the power of God to guide us. His power can make miracles happen. I’ve seen it.

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V is for The Virgin Mary and an NFL Victory

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by Holly Michael in A to Z Challenge, Christianity, Diabetes, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

Blessed Virgin Mary, Blog, diabetes, Holly Michael, Jake Byrne, juvenile diabetes, Mother of God, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Draft 2012, type 1 diabetes, Virgin Mary, Wisconsin Badgers, www.writingstraight.com

The story behind the photograph: My husband and I were staying with our friend, Father Joseph Matthew (administrator), at a quiet private novitiate in Rosemead, California when we discovered this image on the courtyard sidewalk. The date was January 1st, 2012 (feast of the Solemnity of Virgin Mary, Mother of God). Our son, Jake Byrne (Wisconsin Badger) was playing in the 2012 Rose Bowl in nearby Pasadena. The rose (notice the rose theme) is a symbol for the Virgin Mary, who is also called the Mystical Rose.

Father Joseph Matthew, whom my husband has known since childhood, had been watering potted plants on the sidewalk. He testified that the water, staining the sidewalk, had formed this image above. The circular mark in the center bottom was where the pot rested.

We were in Rosemead because of Jake’s football game. Jake had started for the Wisconsin Badgers for the last four years and after the game, he would leave college and enter into training camp to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Jake, diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, has worked really hard to get to this point. He’s always been a determined, thoughtful, kind, and faithful son. (You can read more about Jake’s determination here.)

Back in January, standing before this image of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, I prayed to God, asking Mary to also pray and intercede for a blessing for Jake as well as blessings for other loved ones.

If we can ask our friends to pray for us, and we, as Christians believe in eternal life, then I see no reason why we can’t also ask the Virgin Mary to pray before the throne of God, for our intentions. She, after all, bore the Son of God in her womb. And not only was she a follower of Christ, she watched him suffer and die an excruciating death on the cross for humanity. She felt the pain a mother would naturally feel for her son. She must love us all so very much, to stand by and watch something I could not imagine watching, especially if it was my son. I hold the Virgin Mary dear to my heart and consider her my Mother in Heaven, a saint above all saints.

Tomorrow begins the NFL draft and it goes until Saturday. We are hoping for a victory, for Jake to be drafted.

I am a mother, praying for her son. Surely, the Virgin Mary understands that.

Go Jake! We love you!

*Follow up: Jake signed with the New Orleans Saints. How fitting!

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NFL Aspirations and Novelist Dreams: Follow the fairytales as they come true

19 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by Holly Michael in Football, Jake Byrne

≈ 36 Comments

Tags

#82, Blog, Dreams, football, football and diabetes, God, Holly Michael, Jake Byrne, juvenile diabetes, NFL, NFL Draft, NFL Draft 2012, Novels, Pro Day, sports and diabetes, tight end, type 1 diabetes, Wisconsin Badgers, Writing, Writing Straight

I don’t remember the dream, only the worried face that popped into it. Jake. My four-year-old. Why was his face in my dream? Minutes later, a tap on my shoulder woke me.

“Had a bad dream, Mom,” Jake said.

I lifted the covers, pulled Jake close, and kissed the top of his head, amazed at this strange connection that allowed my son’s fears to travel from his dreams into mine.

Mom’s have connections like that with their children. Sometimes a prickle of worry regarding one of my kids will flash in my mind like a sudden rainstorm pocking up a calm lake. I stop, drop, and pray. Most times, I discover those feelings were on the mark, and my child needed prayers.

Jake had dreams of becoming an NFL player. What little boy doesn’t? Then as a sophomore in high school, he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Jake refused to accept it as an obstacle. He wanted to play football on a college scholarship. He pushed himself hard: extra workouts, more discipline, never missing a practice. Jake gave his diabetes and his football dreams to God.

“Maybe God want’s me to have diabetes for a greater purpose,” Jake often expressed.

For the last last four years I’ve watched Jake start as a tight end for the Wisconsin Badgers. (Jake Byrne #82) Now, Jake has an agent and a good shot at the NFL.

Like my son, I proclaimed lofty dreams when I was a child. I wanted to be a novelist. I held onto that goal, learning and improving my writing skills in spite of rejection letters and self-doubt obstacles along my path toward publication. Now, an agent is reading my novel.

Jake and I aren’t sitting back, biting our nails as we wait for our dreams to happen. I’m working on my second book, blogging, and preparing to become a novelist. Jake’s preparing for the NFL draft.

If a boy with type I diabetes can work hard and become an NFL player, then his mom can be a novelist. Lofty goals? Fairytales? NFL player and Novelist. Sometimes we just know what we want and with God’s blessing, hard work, a little God-given talent, and support from others, it can happen.

Mother and child connections. Funny we’re both, at the same time, standing at the cusp of our dreams becoming reality, ready to wake up and be the people we were meant to be.

Follow my blog as I share about connections, hope, and writing. I’ll keep you posted about my book and other books to come and how Jake fares in the upcoming draft.

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Done this: Regular freelance ghostwriter and online editor for Guideposts for Teens/Sweet 16 Magazine, creator/editor of a magazine for Wal-Mart Corp., journalist, newspaper features writer, published in a variety of national magazines and local newspapers, script writing/editing for corporations. Doing this now: author of fiction and nonfiction, blogger, and editor of Koinonia Magazine. I’m the wife of Rt. Rev. Leo Michael, an Anglican Bishop in the Holy Catholic Church-Anglican Rite. Mom to three great kids: Nick (#81 Rajin Cajuns), Betsy (Super cute professor) and Jake (T1D & NFL player) Also, enjoy my travels extensively across the United States and internationally.

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