Little Dhonte Learns The Power

"Little Dhonte Learns the Power of Believing in Himself," by Linda Heard is an amazing story written by a grandmother about the life of her grandson. This book is a thrilling experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat as it teaches powerful lessons about resilience, faith, and fatherhood.

Transcript

Little Dante Learns the Power of Believing in Himself by Linda Herd illustrated by Sergio Drummond This book is dedicated to my oldest grandson Dante Ford.

Dante,

You are and always will be such an inspiration.

Your hard work,

Dedication,

Steadfastness,

Self-respect,

And strong belief in God has helped to propel you in reaching your goals.

May God continue to bless everything that life places before you.

Keep your head up and always remember who you are and that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

You are and always will be my warrior.

Love you,

Grandma Linda Herd.

It all started one day while six-year-old Dante was watching his father playing basketball with a group of friends from the neighborhood.

They were at a park just doors down from where his father lived and the weather was in the mid-80s and it was humid.

And while Dante was seated on the sideline watching the game with some of his father's friends he suddenly stood up and yelled out,

Go,

Daddy,

Go!

Watch my daddy dunk that ball!

When the game was over Dante ran on the court to greet his dad.

Daddy,

Daddy,

That was a good game but I think they cheated because you would have made that shot if that guy didn't steal the ball from you,

Dante commented.

It's okay little man,

Dante's dad replied.

When I grow up I'm going to be just like you,

Dad.

He was so proud of his dad.

Dante was born to teenagers who met in high school and then went on to pursue their own lives after graduation.

But his dad never lost contact with him nor his mom.

Life wasn't easy for Dante growing up.

There were many times when he was teased by other children because he had to wear clothes from the local thrift store.

During gym class the children would often tease him because he had holes in his socks.

But his parents would try to comfort him by telling him that no matter what the other kids may say God loved him for who he was and not for what he did or did not have.

A few years later Dante graduated to the sixth grade and attended middle school.

He soon realized classwork was much harder than it had been in elementary school and that he needed someone to help him.

His mom was not able to help him because she worked long hours and was tired when she got home from work in the evenings.

Fortunately he was able to attend an after school tutoring program.

Dante would often get frustrated with his schoolwork assignments especially when it came to science.

There were days when he felt like giving up but he would always remember that his mom had told him he had to get good grades in school if he wanted to play sports when he was older.

In the evenings when Dante got home from school the first thing he did was to change into his old play clothes and grab his basketball.

He loved basketball and since he did his homework at school he had more time to practice his basketball skills at home.

And Dante's court was the dirt yard in the back of his house and his hoop was a rusty bicycle rim that was nailed to a tree.

One evening while preparing dinner Dante's mom looked out of the window and watched him as he practiced and she thought,

Since he loves basketball so much and is doing good in school I think I'll enroll him on a team.

When dinner was ready she called him in to eat and Dante came into the house and walked upstairs to his room.

He placed his basketball on the floor next to his bed and after washing his hands he went downstairs to take his place at the kitchen table next to his mother and before eating they bowed their head and thanked God for providing food for them.

When dinner ended Dante's mom said she had a surprise for him.

Really mom what is it?

He asked in excitement.

How would you like to play basketball for the youth community team this fall?

Are you serious Dante asked.

Can I can I mom?

I don't see why not replied his mom.

But you still have to do your homework and get a passing grade in all your classes.

I will I will I promise shouted Dante.

Okay I'll contact the team's coach in the morning.

Oh thanks mom you're the best mom in the whole world.

But when the first day of tryouts came around Dante was so excited that he barely slept the night before and as soon as he heard his mom's footsteps in the hallway that morning he quickly jumped out of bed tripping over his basketball that had rolled off his bed and onto the floor and ran towards the bedroom door.

Oh Dante cried out as he opened the door he quickly ran to the kitchen where he knew she would be preparing breakfast.

Good morning Dante are you okay?

Good morning mom.

Yeah I'm okay replied Dante.

What time are we going to leave for the tryouts Dante asked.

Have you taken your shower and brushed your teeth yet Dante's mom asked Dante.

Nope not yet Dante replied.

Well before you go anywhere little man you'll need to finish breakfast brush your teeth shower and straighten up your room.

But practice will be over by the time I do all that mom.

Okay well if you eat take your shower and brush your teeth then you can wait till we get back home to clean your room deal.

Dante's mom asked deal Dante replied.

Now hurry up and finish your breakfast.

Okay mom Dante eagerly replied as they drove to the community center where the tryouts were being held Dante had worked himself up so much with excitement that he had made himself sick.

And as they drove down the highway Dante's mom realized that Dante had not spoken a word since they left the house.

She looked at him through the rearview mirror and asked him if he was okay.

Oh Dante knew better than to let her know he was feeling ill because she would turn the car around and take him back home.

I'm okay mom replied Dante since there was not a lot of traffic on the road that morning they were able to arrive 10 minutes early to the community center and they had to wait in the car until someone came to unlock the doors of the center.

Dante felt it was the longest 10 minutes of his life but at least it gave his tummy time enough to steady down.

While Dante and his mom were seated in the car waiting for the gym to open another car drove up and parked next to them and Dante looked over and noticed that the kid sitting in the back seat was Daquan.

Daquan was in the same grade as Dante but he was much taller.

Daquan looked over to Dante and rolled down his car window and yelled Dante's name.

Dante rolled down his window and shouted hey Daquan and after winding the window back up Dante began to feel nervous and unsure of himself.

What's wrong Dante's mom asked.

Oh he's the best player on the team during gym class I might not get picked to be on the community team now Dante replied but Dante's mom explained to him how important it is that he believe in himself and that a team does not consist of just one player but several players working together to accomplish a goal.

She proceeded to tell him that after watching him practice in the backyard every day she was sure he would make the team.

An older gentleman finally arrived to open the doors and as Dante and his mom walked in they passed by a candy vending machine and Dante immediately stopped and pointed to the skittles that were in the vending machine mom can I have some skittles.

Oh not now son.

Let's wait until the tryouts are over.

Dante immediately started to pout why not if you eat skittles now you'll get sick and won't be able to play basketball now do you want to play basketball.

Dante didn't answer I tell you what I'll buy you some skittles after the tryouts are over you promise asked Dante yes I promise replied his mom.

After everyone was seated in the gymnasium the coach walked on to the gym floor and stood facing the crowd he looked to be in his mid 30s bald and very slender good morning everyone I'm coach short and to my right is my assistant Mr.

Ford to my left is your youth league team mom Ms.

Swan we're looking forward to a great year and want to thank everyone for coming out kids I know that you're excited but I want you to know that even if you do not make this team do not be discouraged because there are other teams that you may qualify for as coach short proceeded to explain the rules of the game to the children Dante would from time to time look over to where his mom was seated Dante's dad had promised him on the phone the night before that he would be at his tryout game to see him play and his mom could tell from Dante's expression that he was starting to get worried that his dad may not get there on time as Dante continued to look for his dad he missed a pass from his teammate and the ball just rolled across the gym floor the other children started to laugh and Dante was so embarrassed that he was about to start a fight with one of the players and the coach immediately came over to Dante and told him to sit on the bench until he calmed down while Dante was seated on the sideline looking upset his dad walked into the gym gymnasium Dante noticed that he was carrying something large and white behind his back and Dante quickly sat up straight and waved eagerly in the direction of his dad to get his attention Dante's dad walked over to where his mother was seated and asked why Dante was not in the game with the rest of the players and after hearing what happened Dante's dad walked over to him kneeled next to him and calmly explained that the exact same thing has happened to him from time to time he told Dante to always keep his head up and how important it is to control his temper and emotions especially if he wanted to be a successful basketball player he proceeded to tell Dante what really mattered is that he never give up to always give it his best shot and to always believe in himself because he will always believe in him Dante's dad had no idea how much those encouraging words meant to his son that day after realizing that Dante had calmed down coach short told Dante to come join the rest of the players on the floor and as the game proceeded Dante began to grow more and more confident in himself and during the entire game Dante was making just about all of his shots and the coach assigned him the position of point guard on his team during the fourth quarter the score was 12 to 11 in favor of the opposing team with only six seconds left on the clock someone on the opposing team fouled Dante while he was going up for a shot Dante was so upset that he felt himself getting angry again but then he remembered that his dad told him to learn to control his emotions and to believe in himself the referee blew his whistle and called a foul on the player that fouled Dante and he then motioned to Dante to take his place at the foul line oh Dante was very nervous because he knew that all eyes were focused on him and most importantly that his teammates were relying on him to make the shot and to win the game for the team Dante nervously bounced the ball a few times and then looked up to the basketball hoop oh how did it get so far away Dante thought to himself and everyone in the gymnasium was silent that is with the exception of his dad his dad shouted Dante you got this as Dante turned to look over to his dad he noticed the white sign that he was holding high in the air that simply read in bold black letters believe in yourself Dante felt himself beginning to relax and he turned his attention back to the basketball hoop and with all the strength in his little body he aimed and threw the ball high into the air the ball bounced off the backboard and straight into the net everyone cheered for Dante now the score was tied 12 to 12 Dante had one last shot and an opportunity to win the game for his team oh he bounced the ball three times rolling the ball in his palms on the last bounce and he silently repeated to himself I can do this he looked up to the hoop once again and with more confidence than ever he positioned himself aimed for the square above the rim and released the ball in the air the ball rolled around and around the rim for what seemed like five minutes to Dante until it finally dropped through the net the buzzer sounded and the game was over the final score was 13 to 12 Dante's last two shots had won the game all of his teammates ran towards him and gave him a high five Dante ran off the court toward his mom and dad gave them both a huge hug while walking from the gym to their vehicles he was so excited that he had forgotten all about the skittles his mom had promised him he proudly looked to his dad and shouted it worked dad it worked worked son I believed in myself just like you told me to yes you did son and I'm very proud of you needless to say not only did Dante make the team that year but he went on to become a member of the amateur athletic union basketball league that targets the promotion and development of young athletes Dante grew up in Charles County Maryland and graduated from Henry Lackey High School Dante is followed by his siblings Daquan DeHavion Kenneth Jr.

And Kaniya in addition to his siblings on his father's side and throughout Dante's career he has never forgotten those three simple but powerful words spoken by his dad believe in yourself Dante was voted the most valuable player in both basketball and football during his junior and senior years of high school and due to his hard work and determination he was accepted into college on a full basketball scholarship and was placed on the dean's list his self-respect respect for others and a heart for his players also earned him the title of team captain Dante went on to pursue a bachelor's degree in sports management and plans to start his own business in sports medicine he continues to encourage others especially the youth to stay focused to never give up most importantly to always believe in yourself