By Troy Foster
The Warm
Up
Last
Saturday was the day. Much work and
planning had gone into getting the event together. Dozens of people were working feverishly
behind the scenes to pull it together.
And dozens and dozens more had committed to walk for Henry’s Hope – to
help bring awareness and raise money for children suffering with chronic,
life-threatening, or terminal diseases.
For
his part, Henry was geared up too. The
week leading up to the walk, he asked me what happened that day to advance the
walk. It was a familiar feeling – I’ve
had many a boss request daily updates on my progress. They weren’t 4 ½, but probably not as
effective as Henry either.
More
important to Henry though were two things. First, and it almost goes without saying, he
was going to “win” the race. In the days
leading up to the walk, he asked many folks we’d encounter whether they thought
they were going to win – just to make sure they knew where they stood. Second, Henry wanted the walk to be BIG –
“the more people that come, the more kids we can help, right?” And he kept asking, “it’s going to be big,
right Daddy?” (As an aside, Henry wants
everything to be big – me, his mom, etc.
He has it that anything that is great is BIG; in this case, he was right
on for the walk.)
The Steps
Not Taken
Saturday
morning, Henry woke up bright eyed and more quickly than usual. “Today is the walk,” he said the first part
sounding like a question, but as he finished the phrase it was clearly an
exclamatory statement. All of us were
fast in getting ready and loaded the car like a fine-oiled machine – and with four
kids (oldest 7) and two tired parents – that is saying something.
As
we opened the garage, I reminded Henry about the rain. We had known that the forecast called for
rain that morning, and thought we would have back up plans made. So the rain wasn’t really a damper. “That’s ok, Daddy. They can’t cancel it. It’s my walk.
Only I can cancel it right Mommy?”
We agreed.
But,
as we drove, the heavy drops fell more quickly.
The dark sky was ominous, and we could see no break in the clouds. For once, it appeared, the forecast was right
on.
And
unfortunately, there was not an indoor alternative. So, after much effort, thought, preparation,
and anticipation – and so much work by many – the walk was canceled. Henry was devastated. Heck, so was I.
And
as a parent, when you see this face, it is heartbreaking. Even more so when it’s not for being told
that he didn’t get a toy or didn’t get to go to the movies. But this face was a result of not being able
to walk for hope. That, in itself, was a
huge lesson for me.
And,
I got mad. Anger is not my thing. Never have liked it (on the receiving end)
and not comfortable being it. Seems so
counterproductive and unnecessary. But
the face is my excuse. My anger solved
nothing, and it never does.
The Finish
Line
Even
with the event canceled, Henry was able to serve as a great teacher before we
left. Not 10 minutes after his
heartbroken face (above), Henry was on to other things. He asked Kristen to send a text to those that
worked hard on the event – it to say “Let’s schedule this for another day. A sunny one.
Don’t worry, dawg.” No idea where
he got the dawg thing or really what it means.
And
he saw his friends. Though against our
better judgment (he had a little cough and it was raining), we let Henry run
out and talk to everyone that were going through the motions of wrapping the
non-event up. And then, as quickly as it
came, his disappointment faded.
He
was laughing with the Ransburgs, chasing his good friend (Chad) and holding
Bailey. Also excited to see both “his
Steve” (Enochs) and “Mr. Steve” (Harding) – both of whom he adores. He was racing Korey down the track, and
giggled as Korey “fell” in exhaustion – but was quick to help Korey up. He chased Brian (who was the only person that
seriously wanted to beat Henry it seemed) and his family – giggling, smiling –
being a kid.
He
was done pouting. Done being upset. Done with the face that, though we don’t see
it often, brings deep pain to our hearts.
He had moved on – much more quickly than most adults do in their
disappointments and much more quickly than I had in this one in
particular. Henry had embraced what he
had that day – time to see, play with, entertain and be entertained by – his
friends and people that care about him.
(By the way, those of you that know Henry, know that he doesn’t have age
– or really any other – barrier. He
considers Steve Enochs one of his best friends – maybe he and Chad are tied
right now. And he has no fear of “tall
adult Korey that is my friend.” I asked
“you mean my friend?” to which he replied “Ok, you can be friends with him
too.” I love that about him too.)
It
reminded me of a promise that I made.
That I, too, would embrace what the day brings – enjoy those around me
and cherish each moment. Not take
anything – any memory with those I love – for granted. Even days, and maybe especially those, that
don’t go as planned. Yes, it was rainy,
cold, dark, and utterly unfit for what we were to do that day. But, as Henry’s reminder made clear – the fact
that we got to see, hang out with, and enjoy our time with people that are
important in our lives – it was a great day.
For more uplifting
stories and adventures of Henry, get Three Candles at www.threecandlesbook.com. Proceeds benefit Henry’s Hope.
***If you are interested
in joining us for our rescheduled walk (TBD), please shoot us an email at hope@henryshope.org.
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