Last Sunday was a special day. Over fifty friends and family gathered at the home of John and Kim Jackson. There were balloons, great food, and what looked like a birthday cake. Kids in t-shirts played touch football in the backyard pretending to be all star quarterbacks and wide receivers. The kicker was the reason everyone was there. Robert Jackson is twelve years old and the party was given to celebrate his last chemotherapy treatment completed recently.
In the family room, pictures of Robert and his three and a half year journey were cycling across the TV screen. Leukemia is a devastating disease. I watched the pictures and marveled at the spirit of this incredible boy. He lost hair and yet found strength with friends in a Bald is Beautiful club. The pictures of Robert in the hospital were difficult to view. You could tell that he realized this was one tough competitor he was facing. Fortunately, his parents also included shots of Robert with a green and yellow Afro and others where he’s loading up to crunch his two handed backhand in a tennis tournament.
He is a bit of a celebrity having been a two time guest on a local radio show and he also had the chance to spend time with a famous motocross star. I loved the picture of Robert swinging for the fences on his little league team. It made me think that his life will always be lived full throttle—-no holding back….digging in and swinging from his heels. He is an expert at digging in and giving his all. Robert has had more than fifteen spinal taps in his young life.
He’s due to have the chemo port removed before Christmas and he is thrilled. Everyone was struck by the joy his parents exuded. What a trip this family has taken. The faith they have clung to will surely only grow stronger now. I’m sure that God will continue to bless them and that Robert will always make Him proud. We could all learn a lot about life from Robert…..how to persevere with hope and humor and to live each day to the max. Perhaps his example will inspire others to dig in and swing for the fences.
There is no doubt that Robert will be a home run hitter in whatever he chooses to do.
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