Community

I haven't written in a very long time.  No news is good news, right?  And that's been pretty true for us.  Bryce feels better than he has in a couple of years.  And we've been so busy with me going back to work and him being our stay at home, I just haven't had time.  But honestly, that's not what this is about today.

Today, I want to talk about our community here in Lago Vista.  A year ago when Bryce got the news about only having a year left, he started thinking a lot about the things he wanted to see and do before his time ended.  Then in the Spring, we knew there would be another surgery and that's when the Go Fund Me page was sent out.  He wrote beautifully about our "situation."  One of the things he wanted to see was Bowen playing in a football game.  One of the coaches of the little league team here saw the Go Fund Me and went to the board to get Bowen on the team.  It was an amazing gesture.  So kind.  From people that didn't even know us.  THAT is what Lago Vista does.

Today, I am amazed by the love and support of this community again.  Bowen's football team played in the Super Bowl.  They made it to the championship.  Our team is comprised of 5th and 6th graders.  The opposing team had a giant that had been held back.  Our 10 to 12 year olds played against a one man show today.  He's 13 and I have no idea how he made the weight requirement.  As angry and nervous as it made me as a mother to let him play this kid, it became another mothers worst nightmare today.

Bowen was the 2nd big hit for the giant.  Bowen was knocked so hard, he flew back a couple of yards and the back of his head slammed into the ground.  I watched the color drain from my baby's face.  I couldn't stand it anymore and I went out to the field to talk to him on the sidelines.  Crying, shaking and dealing with a horrible head ache.  But he was on the side lines and the game just got worse.  It got MUCH worse for another mother.  One of our biggest, strongest, fastest kids was hit cruelly out of bounds by the same monster.

Watching him try to get up twice and go back down was awful... just awful.  Seeing this boys mother knelling at his side while our coaches held the boys dad back from getting to the other side was ripping my heart out.  I know how he felt.  I have never wanted to physically injure a 13 year old as badly as I wanted it today.  I wanted to join forces with this dad and get my hands on someone.  ANYONE.  That kid. His parents.  The other coaches that allowed it.  ANY.ONE.  Watching this boy back boarded and sent to the hospital in an ambulance was terrible to see.  I wanted someone else on the other side to feel hurt and pain too.  Is that the Christian thing to do?  No.... I'm only human.  I tried to get over anger by focusing on praying for our teammate and just hugging Bowen while he cried because of his own head.

All of this is to say how amazing this community is.  Our coaches wanted this monster out of the game.  The other coaches said their giant wouldn't play defense anymore.  Our coaches said that it wasn't worth it.  NO trophy is worth what our boys were dealing with.  Luckily, our teammate is ok.  Checked out in the ER with a closed head injury and no spinal injuries. PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Our boys were crying.  Scared for their friend or in physical pain themselves.  Bowen is fine.  Other players are fine.  We didn't win a trophy.  What we DID win was a real sense of community today.  The people here in Lago were amazing.  People from our church that weren't there and were an hour and a half away already knew about things.  They were texting to find out how Bowen was.  I knew that he was fine.  I knew that the prayers were really needed for the boy headed to the ER.  Prayers were lifted up and God delivered this boy safely at home.

Our coaches taught us today and showed the boys by example that winning a trophy "at all costs" isn't the real way to win.  This community has taught us about love.  They have no reason to love us the way they do, but they do.  And it's a true gift.  Anyone that lives here and is a part of this has been a gift to us.  This community loves.  When when we're filled with anger at someone else, they rally together and love each other.  They go to the hospital to visit their teammate to make sure he's ok.

The community here in Lago Vista is unmatched and very much appreciated.
Thank you for letting us in Lago :)

P.S.  Bowen is fine.  My prayers continue for our #82 that was sent to the ER.  I know you're headed home.  I couldn't be happier.  Get well soon, buddy & TAKE IT EASY!!!!!!!