There's been no shortage of stories in recent years about the incredible depths of depravity to which many professional athletes have sunk: drugs, infidelity, even murder. So it's kind of refreshing to hear about NBA MVP Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat, who recently bought his mother her own church - even if I personally would have preferred something more along the lines of a 1909 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost convertible, along with a male underwear model to chauffeur me around.
Then again, Jolinda Wade probably has different priorities. A former drug addict, she spent Dwayne's childhood bouncing in and out of prison while Dwayne's older sister Tragil pretty much raised her three siblings. Seven years ago, Tragil convinced her mother to come with her to church - a visit that inspired Jolinda to turn her life around, eventually starting minister training in 2004. She began the Temple of Praise in Chicago last October, out of a small rented room that could barely accommodate the 47 original members. Hundreds of worshippers attended the consecration of the new church, including the mothers of Shaquille O'Neal and Magic Johnson.
I just love these stories about superstars who haven't forgotten that they owe everything to Mom. It gives me hope that maybe my own children won't set me adrift on an iceberg when I'm old and feeble.
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