Cram the Stands

[Juulie Downs]

I haven't been in a gym all season, since I took the season off, and have been too busy to be a "fan-girl". My son was diagnosed with cancer in June, and was in radiation at the beginning of the season, so I have just been taking care of business.

But tonight, he was the "ambassador" from the local children's hospital where he received all his cancer treatment, to a fund-raising event at a high school here in town. They get t-shirts printed with some fancy design, and sell them. Then everyone wears their t-shirts to the game, and all the money from the game, the shirts, the snack bar, the raffles, and so on all goes to the hospital. Tonight it was well over $10,000, possibly as high as $11,000.

Of course, Mason was a huge star, since he's very cute and engaging, and everyone LOVED having him there. One of the black players had even "carved" Mason's name into his hair. The players all came and slapped hands with him whenever they came out of the game, and he was out on the floor with them for warm-ups, and in the locker room before the game and at half-time.

But the real reason I wrote this was just to comment how HARD it was to sit in the stands and care about who won the game. I really wanted Sunset (the high school) to win, and it was just awful sitting there and watching. I think I developed an ulcer. The refs were fine, and the kids played great, but it just wasn't enough, and they ended up losing by 2. Ugh. I don't know if I can ever do that again.

[ref2coach]

Being a participant is always much better that being a spectator. I pray your Son gets well and that you can return to being on the 3rd team next season.

[refiator]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

I haven't been in a gym all season, since I took the season off, and have been too busy to be a "fan-girl". My son was diagnosed with cancer in June, and was in radiation at the beginning of the season, so I have just been taking care of business.

But tonight, he was the "ambassador" from the local children's hospital where he received all his cancer treatment, to a fund-raising event at a high school here in town. They get t-shirts printed with some fancy design, and sell them. Then everyone wears their t-shirts to the game, and all the money from the game, the shirts, the snack bar, the raffles, and so on all goes to the hospital. Tonight it was well over $10,000, possibly as high as $11,000.

Of course, Mason was a huge star, since he's very cute and engaging, and everyone LOVED having him there. One of the black players had even "carved" Mason's name into his hair. The players all came and slapped hands with him whenever they came out of the game, and he was out on the floor with them for warm-ups, and in the locker room before the game and at half-time.

But the real reason I wrote this was just to comment how HARD it was to sit in the stands and care about who won the game. I really wanted Sunset (the high school) to win, and it was just awful sitting there and watching. I think I developed an ulcer. The refs were fine, and the kids played great, but it just wasn't enough, and they ended up losing by 2. Ugh. I don't know if I can ever do that again.

This puts things into perspective. Hats off to you and I hope your son is gonna be OK. Get back out there when you can.

[Juulie Downs]

Mason is doing great! only 6 months of treatment, and his scans were completely clear in December. He is back to school full time, off all treatment, and has more scans in March.

I also intended to mention that I really saw the need for 3-whistle. There were several times when from the stands we could see an obvious foul that the two refs simply didn't have an angle for, or we could see a violation (on the oob line, eg) when it was obvious to me that the refs were just too busy with contact and ball-handling to notice. Believe me, I'm not faulting the refs when I say this. They got 95% of the big stuff, but a 3rd ref would have helped keep the little stuff tidied up, too.

[TimTaylor]

Juulie,

Sorry to hear about Mason - hope things are going OK. I assume you're talking about Doernbecker. Those folks up there are really good - if anyone can help him, they can. We'll keep him and your family in our prayers.

Sounds like he had a great time. They were playing Westview, weren't they?

[refiator]

I am glad to hear that! Hope things continue to progress positively.
Refer to the post on 2 person vs. 3 person crews. 'Nuf said... The 3rd set of eyes is irreplaceable.

[fullor30]

Julie.......

From a stage 4A survivor, over five years ago, cancer ain't what it used to be.

It's all tailights for Mason. Expect the best!

[BillyMac]

And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. (James 5:15-16)