The Invincible Iron Man

As I looked at Jace during his chemo treatment yesterday, I noticed the logo on the T-shirt he wore said, "The Invincible Iron Man." In so many ways, Jace's nickname fits.

Saturday, Jace wanted to go in to Hayden’s baseball practice (Yes, in Idaho we practice baseball in the gym until April). As he longingly looked at the batting cage, the coaches talked him into trying his hand at bat. I stood in the shadows afraid and nervous, but watched as Matt and Corey helped him find a helmet. I knew his arms and legs were weak, and his energy was short lived, so I hoped he wasn’t disappointed with his own ability…but I wished for the best.

Would you believe, our little Iron Man started CRANKING the ball? Hit after hit, we watched him connect, and we listened to the beautiful sound of a baseball hitting a big barrel. As I tried to hide my tears, Hayden asked “Why are you crying? Are you scared he is going to get hurt or something?”

I didn’t know how to explain my emotions—which after a few days thought I’d say were the culmination of many fears, hopes, and worries assuaged with the ringing of the bat and ball. Awww, the healing power of baseball. I’ve always known it was my favorite sport. To Hayden I replied, “I’m just happy.”

As Jace finished, he trotted back to us across the gym. Although he looked more like a young colt horse, running for the first time, the smile across his face was priceless. “Did you see that?!” he beamed.

Yes, Jace. We saw you prove once again that, where there is a will, there IS a way… and it was beautiful.