Friday Night Football

The highlight of my weekend was most definately the FACS football game this past Friday night! I have been volunteering with Make A Wish the past year or so and one of our kids got to be the official captain of Friday night's game.

My friend Parul and I met Austin and his family several months ago. He was one of our first kids to interview and right away we fell in love with this adorable blonde-headed boy and his mother (who is my age) Shana. Austin is only 4 years old and has suffered with a form of Leukemia that effects his brain. Austin has tumors all over his brain and has suffered with the effects of several seizures over his short lifespan. He is doing very well now and so full of life and is so much fun.

In July, Make A Wish made it possible for Austin to travel to Green Bay and visit his favorite football team, the Green Bay Packers. Austin toured the stadium and met the full Packer's team, Including his favorite player, Brett Favre. As a sending off party, an enhancement in Make A WIsh terms, Austin was made a Crusader Football player for the day.

He arrived at the stadium to greet his team in the locker room. They did some weight training with him and then took him to the locker room where he had his own locker with his name, a football just his size, and jersey #1. Austin immediatly took off his own shirt and put his new Jersey on . Austin is a Crusader! The rest of the afternoon was his day. He ran down to the field with the team to be greeted by an announcer, cheerleaders and Crusader fans.

The team was great with him and invited him back. That's when this past Friday comes in. Austin and his family arrived at the stadium. As soon as he got there.. Austin was asking for "his team" =) He ran down with the team and was announced as the official captain of the game. He went out for the coin toss and then later hung out in the locker room at half time.

It was a magical night for Austin. He will forever be in the hearts and memories of those High School guys who have something more meaningful to look after outside of themselves. This is why I love Make A Wish. This particular situation coulden't have gone much better. To give is far better than to receive!

The Crusaders won their game. They played very well! God blessed their efforts and this stellar act of kindness to this young boy suffering with a disease that no child that young should ever have to deal with.