Coach DeGraffinreid spoke to the boys and told them about how proud he was of them not only as basketball players but as humans. (This is not word for word, but what I heard) He spoke of the trials that the team had to go through this year, including the night when Eric came and told the team about his leg. He told them how proud he was of the team for surrounding Eric with not only support but love. As Coach DeGraffinreid got choked up, it was hard not to be reminded how grateful we are for that love and support, because it has helped Eric to stay strong and take that step, as hard as it is, forward on his treatments.
Coach Griffin spoke about when the team came out of the locker room the night of Eric's last game this season, and the team saw the huge tunnel the student body created for the team to walk through. They were not sure what to do. So Jake Skinner linked arms with Eric and the rest of the team followed suit and walked through the tunnel, giving high fives as they passed.
It has been spoken of many times that it takes a village to raise a child, I am now starting to understand the meaning behind that. There are many people who come into your child's life and will help shape, love, and teach your child, in good time and bad. To personally witness the goodness of amazing people, teachers, coaches, and friends who have been here to help in anyway they can, and to know that we are not having to do this alone is comforting.