T-ball games tend to feel like an eternity because they let the batters have multiple swings until they finally make really good contact with the ball and feel confident about their ability to make it on base safely. 

Coach is getting the same opportunity….the chance to swing the bat a total of 12 times until he can finally knock the cancer ball over the fence! 

Today was strike nine. 

His chemo buddy was Rob Miles, his nephew, who drove in town from Alabama to surprise him. He brought with him a pair of stuffed dice 🎲 that “landed” to make “9”….. symbolic of how this journey has felt a little like a gambling game.  And also symbolic of our beloved Godmother, Linda McElwaney, who we all know as “Dice.” Last night Dice gave an amazing pregame devotion where she talked about putting on the full armor of God. Towards the end of the devotion she surprised Coach by walking in the house and then giving him her late mother’s cherished Bible. It was a full circle moment for our family and quite the tear jerker.  While I am not thankful for a cancer diagnosis I have seen how the Lord has used it for His good in many ways including bringing our family and extended family together in ways that are so very special. 

Last week for coach’s “off week” he spent it at his happy place in the mountains. A place we call “goat farm.” I was there with my kids and Webb/Georgia came with their kids for part of the time. We truly have learned to cherish the times we have with one another. I’m grateful for the memories we made last week… like when he put the kids in the bucket of his tractor and lifted the bucket so the kids could pick blueberries off the tops of the highest bushes. I’m thankful he felt good enough to tend to the most delicious ribs and Boston butt he smoked on his smoker. I’m thankful for his ability to still entertain and interact with his grand babies. 

He also mustered up the strength to go fishing with some high-school buddies the weekend before last….. and I know that was great medicine for him.  

Today’s chemo was encouraging. His oncologist again stated that he is not worried about whatever “suspicious tissue” was spoken of on that first MRI. He stated that he doesn’t even think it is a cancer recurrence but that regardless the chemo is doing its job and coach is able to maintain the scheduled course. 

Not much more we could ask for! To God be all the glory! 

All in all we are in good spirits. We are able to rest more peacefully at night. We are able to stay off Dr. Google. We are able to focus on the positive and not worry about the unknowns. We are counting down the days until he gets to ring the final chemo bell! 🔔  

Special thanks to coach’s long time friend, Jimmy Hignight, for providing Coach with his favorite post game meal—PF Changs—tonight! It was much better than anything the concession stand was offering. 

We are so thankful for the most amazing fans in the stands. We couldn’t do it without y’all. 

Let’s keep playing ball and praising the lord! 

🐻⚾️ BEAR STRONG ⚾️🐻