When You Miss the Shot - Continue to Fight
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RUTLEDGE, Ga. - Mecole Hardman hasn’t played defense in over a year, so when he was crossed up by the basketball dribble of a girl wearing blue “KENTUCKY” shorts you could understand why.
Hardman did enough to prevent her step-back three from going in the basket, but she seriously took on the playful challenge from the former five-star football recruit in stride.
The ball didn’t go in, but she shot her shot nonetheless. She’s used to things not always going her way - a lot of kids at Camp Sunshine are.
Sometimes the step-back three doesn’t go in.
That’s essentially the point of Camp Sunshine: It’s there for the times when life doesn’t exactly go according to plan
Imagine being told you have been diagnosed with cancer. What does that even mean? That you might lose your hair; your limbs; your life. No one plans on getting cancer - certainly not teenagers or small children.
But these hundreds of campers spent a few hours Wednesday talking, playing, perhaps even flirting with the Georgia Bulldogs. These campers know a thing or two about mental and physical toughness. Physical pain is very real in the Southeastern Conference, no doubt. But knowing you are going to spend your day throwing up because of chemotherapy is not a lot of fun. The glory for many of these children, several of whom get treatment on site, is having a restful day fighting cancer rather than a disruptive, painful one.
These kids know what it is like to struggle. They’ve stared the Big C in the face and have fought the fight they could fight to live. Having your dreams dashed on the last play of the season is tough.
Cancer is brutal.
“I appreciate the attitude these kids have,” said UGA tight end Isaac Nauta. “They literally wear the scars on them. They definitely are fighters. It is real inspiring.”
Mo Thrash, a member of the Camp Sunshine Board of Directors, told assembled UGA football players before they met the campers: “You are heroes. Do you understand that?”
His campers are as well.
“You learn so much from them,” running back Elijah Holyfield said. Holyfield and freshman running back Zamir White stood at mid court amongst the madness of noise, balls flying and happiness to signing autographs and take photos with more campers than could easily be kept up with.
The backfield duo, just by being there, provided more of an escape for the campers than they already get from the week-long excursion.
Lamont Gaillard added: “This is a humbling experience.”
No question.
These massive humans, who fight for glory on Saturdays in the fall, met with their peers - young people who very well could have been them.
They just didn’t get cancer as a child.
God works in mysterious ways. We are guaranteed nothing.
Days like Wednesday, and next week when the Bulldogs return to Camp Sunshine, are about understanding that we should all be thankful for what we’ve got. In addition, and I don’t think this should be forgotten: learning to fight is a great trait to possess in this life. Some things, SEC defensive lineman, losing streaks and life-threatening illnesses, must be attacked head on. Sure, you can be afraid, but you have to fight.
Yes, the Georgia Bulldogs are heroes to thousands. But heroes can learn, too. And the trip to Camp Sunshine was just that - a learning lesson in toughness and humility. Toughness comes in all shapes and sizes.