eSpecially Ben

I had a whole bunch of fun yesterday and then got to write about it: ‘We believe in them.’ Panthers fans gather outside practice to show their passion for the team

I grew up next door to my cousins, Matthew and Melissa. My Dad and their dad are identical twins and besides living next door in exactly the same house, they drove the same truck (different colors) and owned businesses together. The family joke was, if they are not together, they are on the phone with one another. Unfortunately, the cousins did not always follow example and get along. Even today, I remember the anger for Matt when he crayoned our entire outside walkway. I think he was only 4 years old, but some things you never forget. Years later, I was here in Charlotte when Matt and his wife Denise moved to Gaffney, SC. On a few occasions, I was able to put aside my anger over the crayon disaster and get together with them. We found out that as adults, we could be friends. Eventually they moved to Texas to start a physical therapy clinic. We have stayed in touch and have been a support for one another as parents of kids with special needs. In 2011, when I started the eSpeciall...

This article is in the January 2016 issue of Charlotte Parent, Carolina Parent and Piedmont Parent- but get it here first: Down for the Count: 5 ways for mom to survive being sick And hoping you will not need the information in this article!