Miracle Network Is My Miracle

When I was offered the anchor position in Jackson a year ago last August, there were many reasons the job appealed to me. Besides the professional challenges, it was a chance to move back south to be closer to family and old friends, there was that good southern comfort food and the friendly southerners who instantly become your friends and I could give up shoveling snow and ice for good.

Undoubtedly, the most important factor was that I would once again have the chance to work in a community where I might be able to team with others to make a positive difference in the lives of others, something I had not been able to do in quite some time. Learning News Channel 12 had a strong relationship with the Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital and was committed to helping children, was the clincher.

Twenty years ago this summer, I started my work with Children’s Hospital. Through the years, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with exceptional children and their families through the Miracle Network. I have to admit, there are days I can’t get these children or familes out of my head. Their stories are painful and sometimes don’t have happy endings.  That “possibility” is frightening and like the moms and dads, I try very hard not to think about what could happen.

Earlier this spring I had the chance to travel to Orlando with Batson’s 2007 Champion, Ms. Aubree Jordan of Madison. She is beautiful inside and out, her parents have done a great job raising her. She’s one of the lucky ones. Today, she is healthy again and living life to the fullest.

10 year old Colby Barrett is my new best friend. He’s a “little man” with a personality bigger than life. Check him out on our Miracle Home webpage as he gives us a tour of this year’s Miracle Home. He’s a hoot! Colby is looking good and is now in remission, but I know every day his mom Cathy wakes up wondering…”is this the day Colby’s cancer will come back?” I pray for her that “that day” will never come.

This month Marganie Dumas finishes her intensive chemo treatments. She looks quite different than she did when I first met her in June during the telethon. She’s lost all of her beautiful hair and the steroids have puffed-up her little body….but her bright blue-eyes are still alive and her spirit is strong. Her mother Cindy touched my heart….probably because I can relate to her so well. She could be me, I could be her. She is a professional, working woman with a beautiful home, great job, loving family…everything is perfect, then all of a sudden “cancer comes calling.” She never expected it. Neither would I.

I still can’t think about Reeves Belk or his family without welling up with tears. Reeves lost his fight to cancer and is now gone from us. His mom Laurieanne is a beautiful soul who carries on with life so that his spirit lives on. What haunts me most about Reeves’ story…is his father James. During my interviews with Laurieanne…James was always in the background trying to hold it together. His emotions were still raw, the pain still too real. Men are supposed to be strong for everyone, right? But how can you be strong when you’ve watched cancer slowly destroy your little boy? How can you be strong when you’ve watched your son die in his mother’s arms in your family room recliner? My prayers go out to the Belk’s. I can’t imagine a world after Reeves.

And to Julie Crump who turned her son Nelson over to God and the angels two years ago, one day after his first birthday. Nelson never got to experience his first day of school, his first home-run, his first prom, his first true love. Nelson’s little life ended, before it even began. Julie sent me a note after the telethon thanking me for my efforts in helping “the kids.” Julie, I thank you and all of the Miracle Network families for adding so much to my life.

Having the chance to work with Children’s hospital and these exceptional families has been my miracle. It has changed my life, continues to humble me and always reminds me that life is extremely fragile. We must savor it every day.The most important thing these families have given me is hope. Meeting them makes me realize no matter how bad things are, life goes on. You go on.  It’s the only thing they know how to do.

1. Linda,
   A super article, I can see the passion you have for these children and others. God has blessed us with you being back in our community.I want to say “thanks” for all you do.
   Alvin

   Posted by Alvin  on  08/19  at  07:27 PM

2. My nephew, Aaron, grew his hair for locks for love to help a child have a wig.  I have his ponytail and I need to know where and whom should I take it to.

   You are doing a great job.  I know you had some hugh shoes to fill but you have got hang of it now, you go girl…..Mississippi is listening.

   Posted by Candace  on  08/19  at  02:34 AM
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