Our new family motto

Anyone can walk into our house and find the tv on ESPN at any given time. We are just a sports family. Soccer and baseball are the favorites, but we watch anything competitive related to sports. We also enjoy the inspiring stories that occur each day in the world of sports. People, young and old, are always overcoming something in the sports world. Each story can tug at your heart strings and make you grateful for where you are at in life.

On Father's Day, Sportscenter had a segment that covered Jim Kelly's battle with cancer. Cody was especially locked in because he is a huge Buffalo Bills fan. He grew up watching Jim Kelly. He was one of his heroes.(I can still see a tear in his eye when you bring up any loss to the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.)

Well, in this broadcast, Jim Kelly's oldest daughter was being interviewed about her Father's fight and determination to beat this terrible disease. It was so touching to see her love for her father. At one point she began talking about what her Dad would tell her anytime she was struggling. He would tell her to be "Kelly Tough". When she heard this, she knew she could give it her best fight.

My wheels immediately start churning and I turned to Cody and asked if we could start using, "Hall strong". He one upped me and replied, "We should use Hayes tough". My heart melted. It was beautiful and it just fits. Hayes is the toughest little man that we know. He never stopped fighting. There was no fear in his beautiful little blue eyes. I imagine the word quit would have never been in his vocabulary. 

Hayes tough. What a beautiful family motto. Any time I might be struggling or having a bad day, I'll remind myself to be Hayes tough. We may have borrowed it from the Kelly family, but the sentiment holds the same truth. We all have to be tough and get back up if we get knocked down. I know this is what our little boy would want us to do. Be Hayes tough.

Our testimony

Cody and I were invited to come back to the church I went to in Mansfield, to share our story and testimony with the congregation. We jumped at the opportunity that God was putting in front of us. We've always said since the beginning that we will share Hayes' story when the moment arises. It doesn't have to be in a church setting every single time; it might be with a stranger that asks us if we have children or even a co-worker.

As we drove to Mansfield, our nervousness was beginning to peak it's little head out. We'd been practicing what we wanted to say for weeks, but I am not much of a public speaker and I didn't want to do a poor job with such an important story. The sermon started and a few songs into the music, the band began to play, Oceans. I knew right then and there that we were going to be just fine because Hayes was giving us that little piece of extra confidence that we needed. Like I've said before, he's always there when we need him the most.

We were given our cue to step up on the stage and we hit the ground running. There were moments that I had to gather myself because I couldn't help but start crying when I began to speak about how hard Hayes fought. Such a big fight in such a tiny little body. Even now, just thinking about how strong he is, brings tears to my eyes. We spoke for close to twenty minutes, and as we finished, a sense of peace came over me. I asked Cody afterwards if he felt the same feeling, and he said yes. He said it was extremely healing to share our testimony. God gives us a testimony for a reason. So we can share how great he truly is. I encourage anyone of you who may be reading this blog, who has gone through the loss of a child, or even any type of struggle, to share your story. You don't know how many people's hearts will be open to what you have to say and even begin their own journey of healing because of you.

Sharing our testimony with Community of Hope

 

Here is the link to watch and hear our testimony:

 

http://vimeo.com/97259202


My morning angel

Each morning I drive to school, I get a little reminder that Hayes is watching over me. As I turn down the main road for work, I always have to pull down the visor because the sun is shining right in my face. When I pull the visor down, there is a little light reflection that appears on it every single time the sun is shining through the clouds. The reflection, to me, appears to be an angel flying across my visor. I can see wings and everything! And what is this reflection from...it's shining off of the locket I never take off that has Hayes' picture in it. The wording on the front of the locket reads...MY ANGEL. What an amazing way to start my morning. Each time I see it, I say out loud, "I love you to Hayes. Thank you for watching over me sweet boy."