Special Celebration
A letter of thanks to Aggie Nation
These words are to those of you that attended the Special Game Day last Sunday, Jan. 22. To those of you that played kickball with the Special Team, those of you that cheered the players on with your positive shouts, those of you that took time to visit with and shoot hoops after the game, those of you that visited with the Special Teams and their families.
Did you realize how you brought smiles to the teams faces? That the Special Team doesn’t have someone in the stands cheering them on very often? That their families were seeing their kids being celebrated?
Did you see the baseball player who took one boy’s hand and went around the bases with him because he had not played kickball before? I loved that baseball player’s actions. We are our best selves when we are celebrating our community … whether they look like us, play like us, talk like us, or see things the same as us. We are a community and, Sunday, I saw that clearly. Some of the people who are often overlooked were celebrated.
Did you leave the Noble Center realizing how lucky you are to be able to play your sport? To have the body and the skills and the opportunity? The Special Team loved celebrating your success with you on Sunday, even if they don’t completely understand it.
Thank you for being heroes. Thank you for being good humans. I know you will be blessed for the time you gave to Coach (Shawn) Joy and the Special Team … blessed many times over for your kindness.
The Special Game Day came into being when a mother of a special needs son made a comment that many special needs parents never have the chance to see their child on the field or court, with others cheering them on. So, we make that happen now one time a year. The athletes and sponsors make this happen for the Special Team … and for their families. But what I have found is that I walk away from it each year resetting my thoughts; being thankful for my community and for my opportunities. It is good to be reminded about the wonderful things in our lives. It is even better to help others have those some wonderful moments.
Never take today for granted.
God’s blessings to each of you.
Sincerely,