This is Caeden’s Principal, Ethan Dschaak. He’s an amazing Principal, but more than that, he’s an inspirational man. Loved by most everyone who knows him, he inspires many with the way he lives his life. A true family man who is positive, active, and has the biggest heart. He just so happens to also be battling Sarcoma Cancer (very similar to Wayne’s). Unlike Wayne, Ethan’s cancer is operable, and he responds incredibly well to treatment. His strength and courage is something I am reminded of each time I see him – and I feel a special connection to him as I cheer him on in my thoughts and as I pray for him and his family. My Dad has helped Ethan at Cancer Care in the past, and he’s just a person we all adore and want nothing but the best for. I think Cade feels it, too, because he always mentions when he has seen “Mr. Dschaak” walk down the halls. We’re all proud to know him. He’s THAT kind of a man.
Anyway. Before I get carried away – on with the story.
Here is the crowd that Ethan was talking to. Front and center, you see (bored?!) little boy. (Blurred out everyone else as they aren’t my children and I have no idea who they belong to [and have no permission to un-blur them.])
He has no idea what is coming next.
Whaaaaat?!
Student of the Month, that’s what.
Super proud of you, Cade. And I swear it’s the only reason I humiliated you by screaming out your name when you walked up to get your award.
Well, that … and I had too much coffee.
Something else happened (and THIS is one of the reasons why I love living back home), my girlfriend Marne Miller-Jones was at the school. Her family started a foundation in the name of her brother, Doug, who played for the NFL and was tragically killed by lightening while visiting her in Colorado. This year’s fun-run proceeds went to Caeden’s school for new playground equipment. How incredibly cool is that? I kept leaning over to her, telling her how proud I am to be her friend and how inspirational she is. Makes me want to do something like this for Wayne.
(This is also the very same fun run that I showed up to a DAY EARLY (throwing a party the night before and not drinking even a SIP as I wanted to rock it during the run), wondering where everyone was?! I swear, sometimes I just wonder how I manged to make it this far…)
All this to say, I am so proud of Cade and the amazing young man he is growing up to be. And I am proud to live in a community that gives back, that supports, and that SHOWS UP for each other.
Well done. All of you.
XO.
One proud Mama and Friend.
3 comments