Ricky’s Wish
Oct 18th, 2008 by admin
I’m taking time out from my normal posting to reflect upon how precious life really is and how often we take it for granted. This afternoon my husband and I brought our son Caden to a special football game at the local high school. It was special because it was honoring the life of Ricky Gibson, a 15-year-old football player who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Although I have never met Ricky, he is a friend of my older boys and to be there to support him was very important. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine was also on hand to fulfill Ricky’s wish of giving his team a new field with lights and updated bleachers. Of all the things Ricky could have wished for himself - he wished to give to others. Although Make-A-Wish cannot fulfill the entire request (estimated to cost around $200,000), they were generous enough to establish the Ricky Gibson Field Fund and give the first donation of $6,000.
As we were leaving the game, Ricky was seated in a wheelchair near the end of the field. When I glanced over his way, he shot me this beautiful, courageous smile… a smile that reminded me of someone. My son Adam. In April of last year, we almost lost Adam to Guillain-Barre Syndrome. But through it all Adam found a way to keep his spirits high and always, always smiled - a beautiful, courageous smile.
So please remember how precious life really is. It can always be worse and it can always get better. And don’t forget to smile. 
————————-
If you would like to help make Ricky’s wish come true, please visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine.
