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Happy Saturday everyone Patrick Edwards here, hope you all are doing well
As you know Bret and all of us are huge football fanatics. As I was watching ESPN College Gameday this morning I saw something extremely moving that I feel compelled to share with you. During the broadcast ESPN featured a story about the Iowa Hawkeyes players and fans creating a new tradition.
This new tradition doesn’t really have much to do with football. In fact, the only thing involving football is that it takes place in Iowa Football’s Kinnick Stadium. However at the same time this new tradition has everything to do with football as Iowa Hawkeyes players and fans giving a small gesture, but what is very much a large and lasting human exchange.
You see, the patient room windows of the Iowa Children’s Hospital overlooks Kinnick Stadium and from those windows the children can see the faces of the players and fans, but truth be told the players and fans can also see the faces of the children in that hospital who are are fighting everyday against cancer, neurological and other illness. It is from these vantage point meetings in which at the end of the 1st quarter the players and fans turn around and exchange waves with the children in the windows at the hospital.
This human element gesture is simply inspiring…
Now with all that being said this makes me reflect as I have known Bret Michaels for almost 20 years. During the course of those years I have personally been equally inspired seeing Bret do similar outreach efforts, standing up for making a difference through large donations of both money and his time. Bret has made me extremely proud to call him a friend/family as I see him personally give back for the greater good of the many people that benefit from similar gestures. I have been fortunate enough to have been present during countless instances where Bret puts his focus on charity and I can’t tell you enough just how moving it is and how much people truly appreciate it.
When Bret had his brain hemorrhage a few years back, it was one of the most concerning times for everyone. Thankfully he recovered and fought to carry on even creating his “Music & Hospitality” room at Barrow’s, the very same hospital that saved his life. I mention this because his vision for this room was to have a place where families, children etc. could go during times where their loved ones were receiving treatment for the same trauma at the hospital.
With no political pitch or message, in a time where the debate to kneel or stand is the talk of the hour I understand and respect the freedom people have to voice their opinion. I can’t help but think though, as simple as it is, wouldn’t it be great to make a difference just as Bret, the Iowa Hawkeyes players and their fans have done? Imagine yourself as a child in a hospital room waving out and 70,000 people are waving back at you. I have to think that must be one of the most coolest things we can do.
Bret Michaels has unknowingly changed my life and made many of my dreams come true. Seeing him do the same for others, standing up to make a difference for others is something that I will always value in our friendship. Bret has always told me, “Do what you can, as much as you can, wherever you can” and that is something that will forever stay with me.
Isn’t it great to think that a simple wave can bring out the best in people? As child patient Daxon Phippen said, “At least Saturday is coming…”
– Patrick Edwards
Watch the video @ http://es.pn/2xNUd8K
