While I will miss the irony of license plates that start with “PDF,” I am super proud to support the Minnesota Vikings Foundation in this small way. The Foundation gave Jack a tremendous experience when their staff granted his Make-a-Wish request to be a season ticket holder for a year. Even more impressive was that they just didn’t give him tickets. They arranged a meet-and-greet with Adam Thielen to give him his tickets. They gave him a special experience at every single home game of the 2019-2020 season. We were on the field for pre-game warmups before the Vikings-Packers contest. We were on the field at halftime when Steve Jordan was inducted into the Legends Ring of Honor. Jack got to meet many former players, including Chris Carter, and go behind the scenes to places like the press box and locker room. And, as if that wasn’t enough, the Vikings Foundation gave him Super Bowl tickets to see the Chiefs play the 49ers! Maybe it was just a coincidence that our number came up the very next year to buy the right to be official season ticket holders, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Foundation had a hand in that, too.

 

Sure, I sometimes get frustrated watching the Vikings, but I will never not be a fan after that gift from the Foundation! In the emergency room when Jack’s first tumor was diagnosed, his nurse was wearing a Minnesota Vikings lanyard. She told him she is a season ticket holder. Jack broke down and told her he wanted to grow up to be a season ticket holder, but he was worried he wouldn’t live that long. My mama heart shattered in that moment and I immediately jumped online to get into the long years-long queue to buy season tickets. I didn’t even ask Matt first!

 

When Make-a-Wish and similar organizations work to grant wishes, it’s not just about the physical gift. It gives kids (and their families) hope and encouragement to keep going! The businesses and organizations like the Minnesota Vikings Foundation are tops in my book for understanding that and being so generous.

 

Maybe it’s just a coincidence that my new license plates showed up the same week the Chiefs play the 49ers in the Super Bowl, bringing back all of those memories of Jack at the Super Bowl when those teams last played each other, but I’m going to take it as another God wink. I will never be able to properly convey my appreciation for the Foundation and all of you who have loved and supported us on this journey! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

So now that you’ve read through all of that, you probably want to know how Jack is doing! I’m pleased to share that he is making great progress! He is back to work full time. With the swelling down, his neck looks a little strange. Since there aren’t bones in the back, it dips in! He is still in some pain and is very stiff, but is getting back to a regular routine and spending time with friends. AJ even took him to a Travis Scott concert! He had an X-ray almost two weeks ago and the fusion is still on track. He will go back to Mayo Clinic late this month for another MRI and all of his other tests.

 

Thanks again for your love and support!