1. A Call on the Journey Home: A Grace from Heaven
There are moments in life when the ring of a telephone can dictate the entire atmosphere of a household. For the Roberts family, the call from the oncologist this afternoon, as they were driving home from the hospital, was more than just a medical update—it was medicine for the soul.
For days, the shadow of fear had loomed large. The possibility that the tumor on Will’s back might be jeopardizing his spinal cord—threatening paralysis or irreversible complications—had consumed our every thought. But the latest news brought an ocean of relief: Will’s spinal cord is safe for now.
Amidst a sea of uncertainties and medical reports filled with daunting terminology, this is a “small mercy” granted by God. It allowed us to stop holding our breath; it allowed our lungs to fill with air and our hearts to beat a little slower. We understand the war is far from over, but today, we won a critical battle for our spirit.
2. A New Plan and Hope from the Beams of Light
The doctor didn’t stop at the good news. She immediately reached out to the radiology department to explore radiation as a viable option to shrink the tumor. The primary goal right now is to alleviate the intense, unrelenting pain that Will has been enduring hour after hour.
Though we have to wait until next week for a concrete roadmap, simply having a “plan” feels like spotting a lighthouse from a distance in a dark, murky sea. It transforms the feeling of helplessness into a sense of agency. We are no longer just standing still, absorbing the attacks of this disease; we are preparing our defenses to strike back. Every medical step and every specialist consultation is part of the “March Forth” journey we vowed never to abandon.
3. The Power of Kindness: Community as a Shield
As the family car turned into the driveway, another surprise was waiting. It wasn’t a supernatural miracle falling from the sky, but a “miracle” crafted by human hands.
Will was greeted by a mountain of encouragement cards, handwritten letters, and “little happys” (small gifts). You cannot imagine how the eyes of a boy battling end-stage cancer light up when he reads words of love from strangers who have become his fiercest prayer warriors. Those cards are more than just paper and ink; they are a declaration: “Will, you are not alone. We are standing here with you.” These small joys accomplished what pain medication sometimes cannot: they chased away the anxiety. In the moments he was lost in his cards, the cancer was pushed outside the door. While he laughed at a small toy, the pain had to retreat.
4. A Dinner of Fellowship and Timely Strength
A long, stressful day—exhausting to both body and mind—usually ends with the weary realization that there is still a kitchen to manage. But today, kindness knocked on the door once again. A surprise dinner from Coker Market appeared at the exact moment it was needed most.
It may seem like a small thing—a meal—but for a family in the eye of a storm, it is a liberation. It allowed a mother to step away from the stove and sit beside her son; it allowed a father to rest after hours of driving and worrying. The kindness of the community, from local businesses to silent individuals, is the ray of light through the clouds. They didn’t just provide food; they provided time, peace, and the strength to stand for one more day.
5. Standing Firm Through Faith: “He is the Only Reason”
After all the turmoil, after the emotional swings from panic to relief, one ultimate truth remains: the presence of God.
Will’s mother shared a moving sentiment: “He is the only reason I can stand on my feet some days.” Faith is not a magic wand that makes difficulties vanish; it is the strength that allows a person to walk through the fire without being consumed. God was present in the doctor’s phone call, in the dedication of the radiologists, in the colorful cards, and in the warmth of a shared meal.
Every person who prays, every person who sends a word of encouragement, is a “ray of light” contributing to a halo of protection around Will. We believe that when thousands of these rays converge, they create a light powerful enough to push back the darkness of illness.
6. The Commitment: We Will Keep Marching Forward
The road ahead still has steep climbs and dangerous curves. Next week will be pivotal as we decide on the radiation path. Anxiety may return, but today, we choose to live in gratitude.
We choose to remember the relief of knowing his spine is safe. We choose to cherish every meal and every card. And above all, we choose to keep MARCHING FORTH. Thank you for not only praying but for being the hands and feet of God, lifting our family up when we felt we might fall.
This fight belongs to more than just Will; it is a testament to the power of human connection and the wonder of faith. As long as there is light, there is hope.
“Thank you for being part of Will’s miracle. Let’s keep moving forward together!” 🙏✨❤️
