Without a Word_ How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything - Jill Kelly [42]
June 24, 2002—We went to visit Bambi and her new foal, Ohmeister (I’m not sure of the spelling). What a great day at the barn. Bambi is so calm around Hunter, thank God. Ohmeister is a frisky little thing, and for some reason she liked my boots.
Hunter went fishing yesterday and caught ten fish. It wasn’t easy, but once we got him up in his stander, all we had to do was throw the line in. The fish were biting like crazy so it didn’t take long for Hunter to catch one, and then another, and yet another… a professional angler all in one day.
As soon as the bobber went under we all started jumping up and down with excitement. It’s a good thing my aunt Dodie knows how to hook a worm and release a fish. She’s so much fun to be around, and the kids love her. She has really fun ideas that usually involve animals, nature, and making weird faces. What a blessing she is.
July 16, 2002—Hunter lost his second tooth today, the lower-right front one. It’s a big deal… do you hear me? He’s alive and he lost a tooth and he wasn’t even supposed to be breathing and living right now! Glory to God!
Hunter bowls, swims, and plays baseball—maybe not like all the other boys his age, but he does it nonetheless. He’s an extraordinary little kid with so much love, it pours out of him in buckets. And he’s Yours, Lord; he’s Your boy now and always. Even in the shadow of doubt, I know this to be true—my boy belongs to You. He’s covered in the strength of Your grace and the radiance of Your glory. I feel Your light wrap around our family even in great darkness. Please flood our lives with love and hope that eclipses what we know right now.
Play the piano and shake the tambourine and bells, little Hunter, because all of heaven is listening… we’re all listening… and you play the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard.
August 4, 2002 (Canton, Ohio—NFL Hall of Fame)—I cannot believe how incredible the last few days have been. The hoopla surrounding induction weekend is over the top. Jim is so excited, as he should be. He made it, and he deserves to be here right now receiving this high honor. Thank You for sustaining us and for strengthening Hunter so he could be present to watch and listen to his daddy’s induction. Every moment was special.
Jim’s speech was by far the most memorable, all because of Hunter. [You can read his speech in Appendix E, but it won’t compare to hearing it in person—especially the part directed toward Hunterboy.] Our son’s plight set Jim’s powerful words far above the rest.
It’s amazing my little buddy was able to endure the commotion, certainly a tribute of love for his daddy. I could tell he was so excited to be a part of this monumental honor. He made it through the entire ceremony—as sweltering hot as it was, he did it. We were all so proud. Yet, even in the midst of such a wonderful blessing, heaviness swept over my heart… Why Hunter? Why our son?
Just when I feel completely overwhelmed, You show me You’re right here. As I glance outside our hotel window, about 200 yards away, there—elevated above all the other buildings—a yellow cross graces the sky, soothing my pain and filling my heart with hope again, even if just for now. Thank You, Jesus! You’re the only one who understands. Because of You, I have hope.
October 8, 2002—Erin Marie writes “Trust Jesus” all over the place—on Hunter’s schedule book, all over my journals, on tiny pieces of paper scattered throughout the house. I need her reminders. I need to trust You. Sometimes it’s hard, like right now, when Hunter continues to struggle with apnea and seizures. Both of his hips are bothering him, too, and even though the brace seems to help, he appears to be very uncomfortable.
He can’t tell me where it hurts; he has never been able to tell his mommy where it hurts. My mind wanders and I think of little boys on the playground scraping