Iron Heart: Short Homecoming And Battle Songs

Valentines Day came a day early for our family. As William rapidly progressed through his physical therapy and was looking good, he was released on Thursday of last week. He arrived home to a massive pile of Lego, get well cards, and hockey swag. My family and I cannot relay how much we’ve appreciated the outpouring of prayers, thought, and support.

To have William home with his family these last few days and playing hockey in his room has been overwhelming. Two days before William’s trip to the ER, we had to put down one of our family dogs. As we barely had any time to mourn and process, it was incredibly special for him to reunite with our other family dog. It also speaks to this young man’s incredible resilience to have gone through this incredible adversity with the loss of his dog, his diagnosis, and brain surgery – all within a few days – and through most of this with a smile and an incredible perspective.

Iron Heart and his dad love both Top Gun movies, so we caught a fun selfie together. This Iron Heart Maverick flies through the Danger Zone with an incredible poise and with a smile. It isn’t that he’s not scared that amazes me – it’s how he approaches his fears. One scene in particular that we’ve been talking about (from Top Gun: Maverick) is a back-and-forth Hondo does with Maverick. Heading towards the end of the film, when Maverick is about to lead his team into a very dangerous mission, they do their beautiful volley. And this time, they exchange a few more sentiments:

Hondo: I don’t like that look Mav

Maverick: That’s the only one I got… Thank you, if I don’t see you again Hondo… Thank you…

Hondo: It’s been an honor captain

William and I talked about how Maverick is clearly scared, but how bravery is facing the adversity ahead, despite our fears. Giving all you have and facing the valley of shadows with faith, hope, and love, despite being scared, is true strength. Clearly, he’s epitomized faith and strength in this journey so far – and his battle is a very real one. Though I don’t know what war feels like, the only analogy that I can relay as a parent as to what this feels like is just that: war. What is different is that it’s now geopolitical with adult soldiers, it’s my seven-year-old son and he is fighting for his life.

On that note, we’ll be buzzing the tower at St Jude in Memphis to get after the other small weeds and will keep the updates coming. St. Jude Children’s is an incredible pediatric treatment and research hospital. They not only provide the best treatment in the world for pediatric cancer, but they do so at no cost to families. Just in my initial interactions with them as we’ve started mapping out William’s care, I can easily see why they are one of the most highly respected non-profits in the world. For those so inclined, donation dollars go to cutting edge research and treatment for kids – and keeping all costs away from families.

Our journey to Memphis begins tomorrow. In the interim, here is a list of William’s favorite battle songs that we listen to before hockey, brain surgery, and soon proton therapy/chemo: