For those that know Caed best, know he is passionate about sports. Any sport. Whatever the season, that's what he is spending the majority of his time doing/watching. He has been this way all his life.
The one sport we were not sure Caed would ever get to play was football. Last year his doctors in NE cleared that, and said it would be no different than anyone else playing. His lack of intestines would not be a cause to sit out....other than dehydration (which SBS'ers can get easily). From Caed's point of view, it was as though someone told him he won a million dollars! From Mom's....there was a bit of anxiety, yet I remember a time he could not even walk and was hooked to machines. Therefore, I would be thankful he was able to do the very thing he loved most. It was a successful first year. No injuries. Just pure joy.
This year, however...turned out a bit different. Back in August when the high school football boys were beginning 2-a-days, Caed came running home asking me if he could be a "lil manager" for the team. Wow. What a perfect job for a kid who not only LOVES football, but also being around teenagers (probably from growing up as a youth minister's son). He was very dedicated to the job. Got up early for all 2-a-day practices, went to every single after school workout until 6:00pm for almost 3 months. He traveled not only with the Varsity team, but also the JV...which meant being gone every Thurs. and Fri nights. He was in absolute heaven. That is until.....
....it was time for sign-ups for his age division football. He loved it so much the prior year, so it was a no-brainer that he would play again this year as well. Todd and I got to thinking. He is 11. If he has already committed to helping the "big boys" out every single day after school, and then add in a couple a practices until 8:30-9pm for his own team.....we were about to sign him up for total exhaustion. So, we threw him a tough card and made him CHOOSE. Either you can continue to help out the high school players, or you can play yourself on a team with your best friends. To say this was an easy decision or that no tears were involved would be a lie.
With a heavy torn heart, he chose to stay committed to the high school team. Todd and I knew this truly was the best choice. It wasn't easy, however...as the season progressed I think he even saw how wise it turned out to be.
It was a hard lesson, but 100% worth it!
Watching Caed on the sidelines being a "lil manger" this year was almost as fun as sitting in the stands cheering him on as if he had been playing. He walked up and down the line as though he stood 6 feet tall. Often he would stretch up to give a pat on the back to one of the Varsity players for a job well done. And at times, he ((might)) have been guilty of drinking more water himself than offering it to the very ones who needed it most. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to our wonderful coaches here in Idalou that allow these little guys to be apart of the team. I'm sure there are many times they probably get in the way more than actually "help," but the experience the coaches/players give them by allowing these boys to be down there...is priceless. Todd and I believe Caed learned WAY MORE by being on the sidelines for the Wildcats this year....than if he had put on pads and a helmet and played for his own age group.
One thing in particular I saw over and over from Caed this season was this.....
Whenever a player got injured, Caed was right there. So concerned. Waiting and watching the team trainer do his thing.
Since Caed's illness, we have seen great empathy/sympathy from him towards whoever is sick, hurt, hospitalized, etc.... It can even be for other SBS kids who live 1000's of miles across the country whom he has never met. They can be young or old. The details do not matter. The burden he feels for them is the same.
I have NO clue what God's plans are for Caed as he gets older. I suppose he could be a successful businessman who works in a suit each day on the 80th floor of a high-rise building. However...knowing Caed and the loves of his life, his passions, his talents....I would not be surprised if the past few months were not a foreshadowing of his future.
Isn't it funny how God can use the worst days of your life in preparation for THE BEST?
