Part Two: Dancing in the Rain

I didn’t know when I wrote that last post that it was going to literally rain and rain the same night. Ironically it was also the ONE night we had plans to be outside in the next 3 1/2 years.

Apparently a few amazing friends at Qwest noticed Jace wearing a Seahawks jersey in one of his hospital visits. The ball started rolling, and before we knew it, Doug Swanson, the Grid Kid Football Director from Idaho Falls called and said they would like to present Jace with an autographed jersey from the Seahawks quarterback himself...Matt Hasselbeck!

Because Skyline was coming to Madison last night they decided to bring it to the high school football game half-time. Not only did they bring it, they graciously asked if our own Grid Kid and Flag Football kids would make the presentation—“Because it would mean more.”

You should have seen how excited Jace was to be at the game in the pouring rain. We bundled him in layers, parked the pick-up early on the front row so we could watch until half, and tried to keep him in it until the buzzer sounded for half-time to start. We didn't quite make it that long, and as he walked up to the fence surrounding the football field, he was thrilled to be back in healthy boy's land. Of course Matt and I stood over him with umbrellas, but the excitement in the air from the game was contagious, and Jace wore a genuine happy smile.

Walking from the south, we met at the 50 yard line-- 100 little boys from ages 6 to 12 walking from the north, and Jace received his framed, autographed jersey. The most incredible thing then happened as we walked off the field. As we turned to go, many of the boys walked back WITH us and threw positive, encouraging words to Jace on his journey to the end zone.

“You are awesome, Jace!”
“Jace, you are so tough!”
“I can’t believe you made it tonight!”
“Jace, you are my hero!”

It cemented in my mind the concept that all kids are heroes, and for Jace nothing could have been more powerful than that group of peers shouting those encouraging words for him.
My only regret for the evening was that I didn’t turn to the Skyline crowd and wave—and I didn’t turn to the Madison crowd and wave—a gesture of genuine thanks. I think I heard the announcer say something on the microphone like, “Sometimes communities come together for a common good.” We felt supported by Madison and Skyline fans alike, and were shocked to find that in addition to the Madison fans, the Skyline fans also collected cash at the game for our family. Not only will Jace cherish the jersey, he will have one more experience to put in his armor to fight for good.

Thank you Doug, Shane, Kerr, Matt Hasselbeck, Boys, and everyone involved for making our dance in the rain an event we will never forget.