The Blessing of Life

With violence erupting around the world and economic conditions causing pain to many here in America, we can always appreciate those heart warming stories presented to us.

In the sphere of athletics is where I come into contact with many of these stories.  Almost every week, Tom Renaldi of ESPN College Gameday has a tremendous essay involving someone associated with The Color & Pageantry of college football.

Who can forget the tear jerking experience had by young Jack Hoffman at the spring game at The University of Nebraska.  Hoffman, with pediatric brain cancer, was allowed on the field on that day to run for a score, touching anyone with a heartbeat.  Hoffman became a star, and even won an ESPN ESPY Award, and is the face of the Team Jack Foundation.

Florida State University has a couple of such stories making the rounds this week.

Coach Jimbo Fisher and his wife Candi were guest on FOX & Friends on Tuesday morning discussing their Kidz1st Fund, which they created to battle Fanconi Anemia, which Coach Fisher's son Ethan has.  Upon learning of the diagnosis, the Fisher's decided to appropriately utilize their position to help bring awareness to Fanconi Anemia, and they report strides are being made.

Another story making the rounds in Seminole nation is that of Peyton Poulin.  Former Seminole Club of Greater Orlando president Fred More recounts a story:

Six years ago Payton Poulin was the guest of Sherri Holstrum, his art teacher, at the spring banquet of the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando.  As a friend of Sherri and past president of the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando, I had the honor of introducing Payton to Bobby Bowden, then, of introducing Payton to the 300 plus Seminole Boosters in attendance.

Following the telling of this very moving story, Rob Sahlin and Bill Neal, on cue, lifted Payton and his Seminole bedecked wheel chair into the air, all the while Payton giving the Seminole Chop a heavy dose of lifelong devotion and enthusiasm.  Coach Bowden led the standing ovation, while a number of us tried to hold back the tears of shear admiration.

For the rest of this amazing story, please see the following video presented by Tomahawk Nation:



We are all God's Children, wonderful in the eyes of our Lord, and every day is a blessing.