I took my terminally ill 10-year-old son to a football game as his final wish — then we appeared on the stadium’s big screen, and the announcer said, “”There’s something you don’t know about this trip.””
My 10-year-old son, Ethan, was battling cancer. My husband and I spent almost all of our time at the hospital.
Recently, the doctor came to speak with us and said:
“”I’m truly sorry, but the treatment isn’t working. I’m afraid he may not have much time left. But we’ll continue doing everything we can to help him.””
I didn’t know what to do after hearing those words. My heart felt like it was breaking into pieces.
I was sitting beside Ethan’s hospital bed when a woman walked into the room. She introduced herself as a volunteer from an organization the hospital worked with to help seriously ill children fulfill their most cherished wishes.
She asked Ethan:
“”Sweetheart, if you could do one really special thing, what would it be?””
Ethan didn’t hesitate. He smiled and said that his biggest dream had always been to go to a football game with his parents. A real game in a huge stadium.
Ethan absolutely loved football. He knew the names of all his favorite players by heart and never missed a game on TV with his dad. But he’d never been to a stadium before.
So the woman helped us organize the trip, and with Ethan’s doctor’s permission, we went to the game.
When we finally walked into the huge stadium and sat down in our seats, I saw Ethan’s face light up.
The smile never left Ethan’s face. It felt so good to see him smile again.
Then suddenly, during a break in the game, Ethan grabbed my hand and shouted:
“”Mom! LOOK!””
The three of us suddenly appeared on the stadium’s ENORMOUS SCREEN.
It was incredible. We waved and smiled.
I thought that was it.
But I was wrong.
A few seconds later, a man’s voice came over the STADIUM SPEAKERS:
“”Ethan, I’m so happy you’re here today. But there’s SOMETHING about this trip that neither you nor your parents know. All three of you, please TURN AROUND and look behind you.””
I didn’t understand what was happening.
People around us turned and stared at us. I felt so awkward.
Then all three of us turned around.
My husband went pale.
I felt like I’d stopped breathing when I saw WHO was walking down the stadium steps toward us.”
