Thursday, April 29, 2010 - Update #2 Special Surprise

Joe made it to his game tonight and was still feeling great out at the fields. It was fun to see him in the dugout talking to his friends, smiling, and having a really good time. When we got home Joe had a visitor with a special surprise. Mr. Cienega, part of our "Aledo baseball family" who heard Joe's story, got his friend from the San Francisco Giants to send Joe some special surprises. Joe received an autographed baseball hat from the Giants...see picture below - he's wearing the autographed hat. He got a signed ball, program, and a personal note from infielder #17 Aburey Huff, who grew up in Mineral Wells, Texas. Mr. Huff told Joe that if he keeps battling this and gets better that he would personally fly Joe (and Mom and Dad) to a series anywhere he wants. I think Joe's jaw dropped to the ground as I read the letter to him - and Ben's jaw dropped, too. It is amazing that complete strangers can be so compassionate about someone they just heard of, our son, and care enough to reach out and offer encouragement. Joe has been bravely fighting this cancerous tumor and will now have another tangible reason to persevere even when the days get tough during the next 26 weeks of chemotherapy treatments and tests. Thanks, Mr. Jesse Cienega, Mr. Aubrey Huff and the rest of the San Francisco Giants. You've made a big impact on a little boy and his family...we're all fans now!