Smile and Fight On

    

           Today, my sweet friend Chris and I went to the USC football team’s spring game at the Coliseum. Earlier in the day, my mom had texted me that my home town, El Paso, was having another brown out (when a dust storm blows in at such strength, that the mountains disappear). She said that my dad wanted to barbecue some steaks out on our patio, but that she was refusing to let him because she was afraid that they would turn into dirt clods. However, in SoCal, it was one of those days that make you think, “Everywhere must be as gorgeous as this!” Cool breezes, sunny skies, good company... and Trojan football! Not much else you could ask for. 

At half time, a booming voice announced that the Trojan Family was hosting a very special guest this afternoon-- a five year old little boy named McClain from the Make A Wish Foundation. I don’t know what kind of medical situation McClain is battling, but today was a day where all those complications and worries could be forgotten for a few hours. The little man marched around the field like a drum major, directed our band, the Spirit of Troy, with a tiny sword, and captivated the gazes of the game goers as his chunky little chin grinned at us through the jumbo-tron. 

At one point, McClain’s miniature cardinal baseball cap doodled to the center of the field. Our quarterback, Matt Barkley, took a knee to show him how the drum major drives his sword into the turf to kick off each home game. After a few fist pounds and sword plunges, McClain bolted toward one of the punters, Kyle Negrete. From my seat, McClain looked about the size of one of Kyle’s feet. He ran his little heart out, lept up into the air with all the might his little body could muster, and pounced on Kyle. Kyle tumbled onto his back with McClain triumphantly spread out like a star fish on Kyle’s belly. I just about combusted with giggles. 

The Coliseum means a lot to us Trojans-- bacon wrapped hot dogs, dancing in the student stands, loosing our voices singing “all we do is win, win, win NO MATTER WHAT!” at the top of our lungs (at least 50 times per game), and giving our right arms a serious work out from holding up the Fight On victory sign for 3 straight hours. It’s about sweat and snacking and shouting and most importantly running home to fraternity row telling the world that the Trojans were once again victorious. Seeing McClain’s tiny body soar through the air today made my heart hurt, because that little man might never get to do any of those things. I don’t know why some people grow up and get to experience life while others only get handed a sunny afternoon where they can come up for air and forget their problems. However, I do know that every moment McClain was on that field, he was smiling... and that’s all we really can do with the hands we are dealt (whether we are 5 year olds or adults who think we have control over our lives). Smile and Fight On. 

Please remember McClain in your prayers. Please cherish the many sun soaked afternoons you have been blessed with. Please don’t ever neglect to look over your shoulder and grab the opportunity to leap into the arms of (or in this case pummel) your heros.