As some of you know, I have been involved with childhood cancer patients for a few years now, most notable, Thomas J. Sullivan, aka Superman, and Princess Emma Mitchell of Oxford, AL.
While watching the show just now, and the kick 6, it made me think of something that had much more importance to me that happened on that day. The kick 6 was just the icing on the cake.
We, Team Thomas J, hosted a head shaving at Munford Fire Department for little 5 year old Emma on the morning of the kick 6 game. We had a barber there to perform the duties, but it was Emma that morning, that cut off all my hair with clippers. And I agreed to a razor shave, and she lathered up my head for the barber to shave it. She laughed the entire time. We both had a lot of fun that morning. And, I keep my head shaved to this day for Emma.
Emma and I became close friends, and I loved her and she loved me. During all her hospital stays, my wife and I visited her often, and also at her home in between hospital stays, and we never went empty handed, always carrying her a gift or a special food or desert she likes, or even both.
In the summer of 2014, Emma's cancer returned for the 3rd time, and by the end of the summer, it was obvious. We had her a special birthday party at the end of August last year, and Emma gained her heavenly wings on September 15th, just 13 days after her 6th birthday, with family and 2 very close friends, present (my wife and I).
That day, and the following days were some of the more difficult of my life. I was honored to be 1 of 4 pall bearers for the greatest princess I will ever know, Princess Emma Mitchell. My life has been touched by so many children with cancer, but none like Emma. She was special. She was my friend. She was my princess.
I didn't make it to any Auburn games last year, for the first time in many years. Football just didn't seem as important.
This Saturday, I will return to Jordan Hare for the first time since passing up going to that kick 6 Iron Bowl to have my head shaved by someone very special to me. And, I will reflect back on a much greater memory.
R.I.P. Princess Emma Mitchell and Superman Thomas J. Sullivan.
While watching the show just now, and the kick 6, it made me think of something that had much more importance to me that happened on that day. The kick 6 was just the icing on the cake.
We, Team Thomas J, hosted a head shaving at Munford Fire Department for little 5 year old Emma on the morning of the kick 6 game. We had a barber there to perform the duties, but it was Emma that morning, that cut off all my hair with clippers. And I agreed to a razor shave, and she lathered up my head for the barber to shave it. She laughed the entire time. We both had a lot of fun that morning. And, I keep my head shaved to this day for Emma.
Emma and I became close friends, and I loved her and she loved me. During all her hospital stays, my wife and I visited her often, and also at her home in between hospital stays, and we never went empty handed, always carrying her a gift or a special food or desert she likes, or even both.
In the summer of 2014, Emma's cancer returned for the 3rd time, and by the end of the summer, it was obvious. We had her a special birthday party at the end of August last year, and Emma gained her heavenly wings on September 15th, just 13 days after her 6th birthday, with family and 2 very close friends, present (my wife and I).
That day, and the following days were some of the more difficult of my life. I was honored to be 1 of 4 pall bearers for the greatest princess I will ever know, Princess Emma Mitchell. My life has been touched by so many children with cancer, but none like Emma. She was special. She was my friend. She was my princess.
I didn't make it to any Auburn games last year, for the first time in many years. Football just didn't seem as important.
This Saturday, I will return to Jordan Hare for the first time since passing up going to that kick 6 Iron Bowl to have my head shaved by someone very special to me. And, I will reflect back on a much greater memory.
R.I.P. Princess Emma Mitchell and Superman Thomas J. Sullivan.
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