I visited Charlotte this past weekend. This city takes its name from the British queen-consort, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in Germany. My visits to different parts of the country often make their connections in either Atlanta or Charlotte. This time, however, Charlotte was my destination, and I was able to experience this beautiful city for myself.

Charlotte, North Carolina skyline from the town’s “Epicenter.”

I picked up a rental car at the Airport, and drove straight into the city, getting off at the Epicenter in Downtown Charlotte. This was exciting because the Epicenter is a large, cultural area with all kinds of attractions, including restaurants, music halls, boutiques, museums and shops. It is a very compact area and rises many stories into the air, giving you a panoramic view of the city from the top floor. I attempted to ascend to the highest point above the ground to get a better view of Charlotte, but I got dizzy and quickly made a hasty retreat back down the steps. I have a problem with heights, and my metabolism doesn’t react well whenever I find myself in situations like this. I don’t, however, have the same reaction when I’m flying, and that’s a blessing because I fly a lot.

Charlotte is the hub for NASCAR, so I left the Epicenter and drove to Uptown where the NASCAR hall of fame is located. It contains the whole history of NASCAR, and each inductee into the hall of fame also has his own special tower that allows you to learn everything you want to know about him or her. There are now women drivers competing with men on the Super Speedways of NASCAR. My friend of forty years, Bobby Allison, is in the hall of fame and this month, his son, Davie, will also be inducted. So, I had a personal interest in visiting the NASCAR hall of fame in Charlotte. It is something special in the field of car-racing.

Dale Jr.’s Whiskey Diner in the Epicenter.

I had dinner at Dale Earnhardt Junior’s Whiskey Diner on the second floor of the Epicenter. The food was truly exceptional, and everyone from the waitress to the customers were so friendly. There’s something to be said for Southern charm. It was very cold outside, and it was a good way for me to start my visit in a warm eatery surrounded by warm-hearted people, all followers of NASCAR, the favorite sport of Southerners.

Another view of the Epicenter in Charlotte, North Carolina.

I was also busy with my Cross Mission. Thus I offered masses this past weekend at St. Dorothy parish in Lincolnton which is part of Metropolitan Charlotte. It was another unique experience. As I was giving the homily about the baptism of Jesus, I asked how is it possible to love God whom we do not see? A young boy raised his hand and said, quietly:

“You can see God by being holy.”

“And, how do you become holy?” I asked, gently.

“By following Jesus,” he simply replied.

It never ceases to amaze me how God reveals these mysteries, not to the wise and clever, but to the merest children.

On Sunday, after the last mass, I drove to Mooresville, west of Charlotte, to spend the night at the home of Bobby Allison before flying back to Florida on Monday. We went out to dinner, as arranged, at Big Daddy’s in Mooresville on Sunday evening, and were joined by Tim Walker, an old  friend of  both Bobby and I. It was a wonderful reunion. So much to talk about! So many old friends gone to their eternal rest while we are left behind to soldier on.

As we reminisced about the struggles we endured to survive in our respective callings in life, we were glad about one thing: that the Lord led us through it all.

The gift of hope allows us to survive and continue, knowing that, if the Lord brings you to it, He will also bring you through it.

Fr. Hugh Duffy