This is the beginning of my new chapter of life. As I finish college, and begin the journey that everyone has deemed the "real world" I hope that you will follow with me whether it be laughing at me or laughing with me. Either way I want to thank you for your time as I know time is an incredibly valuable resource in this day and age.
Today my time was used and it was a very busy day. I helped my girlfriend, Hope, move out of her dorm as she graduates tomorrow from Bethel College here in South Bend. I was glad that I could help out, but I am built much more for carrying large boxes. I thrive on the sheer challenge of carrying nine shopping bags, 3 duffel bags, and one laundry basket all in one trip. (Which I did successfully in case you were wondering). I am a lot better at carrying bags upon bags like a packhorse than wrapping fragile, breakable bowls, plates, cups and vases in newspaper and then stacking them individually into a plastic box. I really, really hope those don't break...although I'm not giving any promises. Sorry Hope. There was also a box that I might have broke a little bit when I tried to fit a comforter, 3 sheets, and two blankets into. I found the only way I could get the lid on was to sit on the box and then quickly put the lid on. It seemed a brilliant idea until I realized why it wasn't working. The whole box was deformed from me sitting on it. ooops. So after I got her partially moved out I had to move onto the next two events for my day.
Both events were for great causes, but in much different ways. One was in workout clothes and sunglasses, the other was in a tuxedo, tennis shoes and cuff links. I helped work a basketball clinic at the college football Hall of Fame today. It was an event for kids and it was sponsored by the center for the homeless and five star (fivestarlife.org). Both are great causes and I was glad to be able to help out. We had players from Bethel and Goshen college as well helping out. I was helping out with the shooting station and was definitely inspired today by my new friend I met - Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is a sweet little girl that was definitely younger and smaller than the rest of the kids that ranged from junior high to freshman in high school. That didn't stop her or slow her down....something else did. We were doing a shooting competition first team to make it to ten. As we were playing a ball came across from another station and rocked her in the head. It hit her square in the head and quite hard. She was crying for a bit and as someone helped her with some ice to put on her head I went over to check on her. She seemed to be doing well and I told her that I had had a concussion before and she looked better than me. I would like to think that the little laugh from making fun of me was the thing that helped her, but I think it was the score called out by Robbie Lightfoot of 9-8. Her team was down. She put that bag of ice down stepped into line. The girl in front of her hit her shot passed it back to her and she squinted a little from the sun put it up and in!! She hit the game winner. Michael Jordan may have won a bigtime playoff game with the flu, but on this day it was sweet little Elizabeth that hit the game winner there on a standalone goal outside of the College Football Hall of Fame that I think was just as special. I was sold. I was Elizabeth's fan. I cheered hard for her against the kids twice her size and 3-4 years older and was impressed by her will to come back from a setback.
I have to say though, I was more impressed by the 15 year old girl that spoke tonight at the Coach's vs. Cancer BasketBall. She is 15 and has had cancer in her leg and her left lung on two different occasions. She had surgery on her leg. They took out 3/4 of her femur and replaced it with a metal rod. Then, they took her knee out and replaced it with a replacement knee. She has beat it all three times. It was amazing to me to hear her story. I was humbled when her dad came to me and told me that he was impressed with me on the basketball court. I told him I will never be able to do anything on the basketball court as impressive or courageous as your daughter has done with her life. It was very impressive.
Coach Brey does a great job with the Coaches vs. Cancer Event. I would have to say this is where my dad would say behind ever great man there is a woman who is making it all happen. Tish Brey is amazing with all she does, especially with Coaches vs. Cancer and I definitely think she wills the program together every year. I always enjoy going to an event in a tux and tennis shoes anyway. The battle with cancer is very close to me in my life and my prayers are with anyone battling or has lost someone to cancer.
My high school coach's wife, Wilda, had breast cancer my sophomore year in high school. She was also my first school bus driver and always told the story about how this rather tall, lanky first grader had to have his mom walk him to the end of the driveway to get on the bus. It always sounded like the first bus scene from Forrest Gump when she told it. Wilda's cancer went into remission and was gone until my senior year. It came back and she battled courageously. She would always be at our games supporting us. There are two pictures of Wilda I will never forget and look at often. The picture of her walking on the platform with Coach Omer receiving the state champion medal with Coach and her raising her arm in victory. Also, the picture of our team at my senior banquet and for some reason she grabbed my hand right in the middle of the picture. I went off the college and the next time I would hold her hand would be in the fall as she was close to the end with her battle with cancer. I know that I held her hand, but a week later she moved on and I know that Jesus held her hand and took her home. I love you and miss you Wilda.
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