This past Thursday Will graduated from high school.
The Early Birth
The invitations were sent out for Will’s baby shower. We were all eagerly waiting for the birth of our first grandson. But God had other plans. After a routine checkup with her OB-GYN, Jenny’s water broke on her way to the elevator. Will was due in early March but on February 13, 2007, he was born via a C-section at St. Joseph Hospital. Thank God Jenny’s sister Amy was in town for the shower because she would be Jenny’s rock during this trial.
Mikos and I were both at the hospital as we watched a nurse treat baby Will like a normal birth. We could see from the window that something was not normal with Will’s breathing. At four pounds 11 ounces, his tiny lungs needed special attention. I told Mikos, “Something is not right!” As the father, his instincts were heightened; he knew that his baby was struggling to breathe. Mikos knocked hard on the window to get the attending nurse’s attention but she ignored his plea. Finally he’d had it with this horrible nurse and called a doctor in to help us with Will. As strange as it may sound, we could hear the doctor yelling at the nurse for her incompetence. By this time Mike had arrived to see our baby Will fighting for his life. Will was immediately transported to Children’s Hospital of Orange where he remained in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for two weeks. Because Jenny, had undergone a C-section and was still under anesthesia, she had no idea the trauma Will was experiencing.
Every day without fail, Jenny was at her baby boy’s side, watching over him until Mikos showed up to relieve her. The two formed a bond of love around Will, so by the time he reached his proper birth weight he was finally released into the loving arms of his family. In the meantime Maddie was in the loving care of her aunt Amy and me. We took turns babysitting so Jenny could be with Will.
Fighting To Live
When life starts with a battle, it can only indicate that God has a special plan for you. Will is a fighter who has had to prove his physical agility many times. God gave him the gift to excel in many sports. He played soccer, baseball, surfing, snowboarding and basketball. He excelled at every sport but basketball became his passion. He sacrificed weekends to become a wonderful basketball player. For years he was part of a Club Team. In his sophomore year in high school he was voted captain of the Junior Varsity team.
Sports and Politics
A coach can make you or break you. Shaquille O’Neal’s high school coach cut him from the team because he was too slow and clumsy, but a coach at Louisiana State University gave him the proper mentoring to help develop his basketball skills. We all know the outcome of that story.
Will’s high school is big on sports – that meant winning was their only priority. Suddenly six-foot, 19-year-olds (holdbacks) were recruited to the varsity team. Will knew the odds were against him, so he moved on to golf. He never missed a beat because he is a fighter and has a supportive family who has his back at every turn. By the way, he golfs with his grandfather Mike on a regular basis and is excelling in this sport too. Holdbacks are kids whose parents want to give them another year to develop their sports skills; they are usually bigger and sometimes two years older. Parents believe this gives their kids a competitive advantage in both academic and sports scholarships.
8 I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk,
give you counsel with my eye upon you.
Will said that he learned a great lesson during his high school basketball seasons. “You’re not always going to be the best, and you’re not always going to get picked to play.”
Work Ethic
Will’s parents have instilled in him and his sister Maddie the importance of having a work ethic. Following in his sister’s footsteps, Will started working for Porky’s Pizza at age 16. For two years he was the dough boy; now that he is 18 he is delivering pizzas. Maddie has a full-time internship but makes time to deliver pizzas as well. Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills customers, please be kind and generous to these two grandchildren of ours.
Utes
Will graduated with a 4.2 grade point average and was accepted by the University of Utah. There he can snowboard during the winter and golf in the spring. We are so proud of this young man; one, that he kept up his good grades and two, because he works part time. In one week he will start an internship with Harbor Distributing as a merchandiser.
The Celebration
Jenny’s Minnesota family made the long trip to celebrate Will’s graduation. A total of seven Minnesotans came to celebrate Will’s milestone. Our entire family was there as well.
My Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, please watch over Will. Protect him and guard his heart and mind to always do what is right in Your eyes. Lord, I pray for those who have graduated; direct a path of holiness in their lives. Do not let them fall into any wind of doctrine, but to follow You, the King of Kings. Amen.
