Mr. Smile

We’ve always been a baseball family and believe that each and every game contains a metaphor for life.

Carter and I were listening to a podcast the other day about Mets shortop Francisco Lindor. “Mr. Smile” - as he is known in the sports world, earned his nickname for his continuously positive personality. Lindor played for the Cleveland Indians when they lost to the Chicago Cubs in game seven of the 2016 World Series.

Following the loss, sports journalists began commenting on how happy and smiley “Mr. Smiles” appeared despite losing.

Turns out, on his way to game seven Lindor received a phone call from his sister who had been battling cervical cancer. She phoned her brother to tell him “I beat it. I beat cancer.”

That’s the power cancer plays on the emotions of each cancer warrior, their family and friends. To lose the biggest game at the highest level of baseball - and yet display a euphoric contentment on national television.

Today as Miles received medication and platelets we could hear another child ring the bell signalling their completion of cancer treatment. As we face the heart of the battle in round four - hearing the bell was a tangible reminder that our time to ring that bell is soon. Day by day we are getting closer and moving the mountain.

It may not be before game seven of the world series, but soon Miles will be making phone calls and shouting from the mountain top - “I beat it. I beat cancer.”