A Personal Letter to a Living Angel

There is a time in everyone’s life when someone special touches you. You don’t know why you were the one picked, you don’t ask that question. You just feel that God blessed you for allowing this special person into your life and you accept it for what it is…a blessing.

We spend a lot of time talking about how great this school is or how great that player is. We spend a lot of time discussing subjects like transferring, the pro's and con's of Showcasing, American Legion vs Showcase baseball, recruiting, colleges, the cost involve in travel baseball. All of these things are important to discuss and can provide a lot of useful information or in some cases entertainment. We have laughed about the little things and cried about the big ones. We have celebrated players signing a huge MLB contract. We have congratulated players and their families in their signing of a NLI. We have cried over the passing of one of our members

Then one day God sends one of his angels to cross your path at a time when you need it. It happened to me. Just when I was getting frustrated about things that are irrelevant to life, I was touched by someone that reminded me about priorities….real priorities…life priorities.

I have met these living angels before. They’re cool people……. and they all share the same characteristics. They pass through hell and bring a touch of heaven with them. They go through hell with a smile. They laugh at defeat. An obstacle is just an 8 letter word. They remind you about what is important. They remind you that no matter how bad things seem to be for you, things aren’t so bad after all.

It would seem that God has a sense of humor. He laughs at the things we deem important, and then reminds us of what really is.

Well, he was laughing at me again, so he sent another one of his living angels to me. This is a young man that didn’t realize he was chosen. He didn’t realize what his real purpose in life is. Well, I do and I always have. He has been sent to lead others. He "shines the light" for others to walk.

For those of you that have never met a real live angel…well here he is….ENJOY!!!

 

"braves!!! i just wanted to check in with you and see how you are... i just got back from minnesota... we started a new chemo drug down there called some kind of antibody but im going to minnesota every couple of weeks for it and we couldnt be happier with the situation right now.... we drove up 16 hours the first time and that was dreadful but we are gonna start flying up now for so our trip will probably be 2 hours to the airport 2 hour flight and an hour to the hospital for about 2 hours of treatment then vice versa coming home... but wanted to let you know how everything is going... we are pretty excited about the new drug and so far its been tried on about 20 adults and if im not mistaken every single one of them has been atleast helped by it and 2/3rds have been long term cured so im ready for that... im the first kid in the US to ever be put on it and hopefully more will be soon. It will last through the season so hopefully ill leave after the games tuesday night and be back thursday for practice maybe even wednesday night if we can hustle. Team looks good and strong and we are excited. hey remember you promised me your gonna be up here for the South Caldwell game... so i expect it and ill hook you up with those seats and hotdogs

Hope your doing well... let me hear back from you

P.S. i think you would be a great addition to the pitching staff... you and me could have some good bullpen stories

 

"haha my man... but i was selected to take this medicine from a lot of luck and a little miracle.... you see its not open for kids (or under 18) in the U.S. yet... so its tricky because they had to get permission to use me as an adult instead of a kid. Of course we were willing to jump at that and consult and it just opened a couple of weeks ago for anyone not being tested which were the adults on trial for it that had such good success. A family friend in california saw it the day it opened and called us asap and we mentioned it to the great people at the hospital in Bethesda Maryland and botta boom botta bing we are heading to minnesota. The amazing thing is i was selected as the last to enter the study this month and the study for kids wont open for another 3 months so i will be the only one on it for those three months so i hear. We were just so fortunate that everything fell in the right place. The only side effect it has is that i go temporarily blind for a couple of hours through the treatment but thats no big deal ill shake that off and be ready to go again in an hour or so. Ill be flying back in hopefully to catch practice that night and get a bullpen in. Ive worked out every day for the last 6 months coming off the full recovery of being paralyzed for 3 months. I do all upper body. Since i cant do leg stuff considering its all dead tissue down there and it would do nothing to benefit and more to hurt i have to do the forbidden exercises for pitchers that could hurt the elbow. Curls, Benchpress, etc... but im doing those every day and getting alot stronger and ill be ready to go for next season. Got clocked at 80-82 the other day through a simulated 3 innings so hopefully ill be able to get that up to 83-85 by season. Emo is awesome, hes playing basketball but has a slight arm injury right now but will be fine for the season. I talk to coach everyday and hes helping me with bullpens by giving me advice during PE... Coach leggett calls from clemson every week and i go down there some to throw pens so he can help so i am feeling the best i ever have and im really anxious to get out there and sling it.

Im telling you braves... watch out for sharpe this year. The kid can bring it. Hes the most quiet kid ive ever been around so he doesnt get talked about much but the kid chucks it. He hasnt turned 16 yet so hes real young for his grade could have started later and should have really. But he throws it 85-87 and he is a competitor. Ive got those famous hotdogs on layaway too. Haha Get back at me. "

 

There he is, my personal angel.

For those of you that would really want to meet one in person, he is wearing #6 and pitches for the Watauga Pioneers....Wil Dicus!!!!

 

Braves, I have to say that you are not alone in haveing this kid as an inspiration to you. Will is a diamond in the rough and as a player I couldnt ask for a better teammate. Ha this kid fears nothing which shows in his pitching ( i mean hell most kids wouldve hung up their cleats long ago) and he improves every day. leave it to will to get you pumped up in the dugout when hes not on the bump and hes just a character and a half off the field. Anyone who has had the priveledge to meet this guy has been gifted with a real treat.

 

He's "Rudy" x20. You guys better take care of my pal. He's going to make you all famous when they do that movie about him. I'm trying to think who could play him...Hmmmm

 

Haha this kid can't be duplicated in a movie, I don't think there is an actor in Hollywood that could pull off Will's sense of humor in a realistic fashion.

 

Then he will just have to play himself ..the kid gots skilz

 

Great stuff Braves. I am pulling for you Wil along with everybody else on here. Best of luck with your chemo and hoping that you have a great year this upcoming season and keep us informed on how you do.

 

You're so right Braves - and thank you for giving us that reminder. What an amazing spirit this young man has - it's a lesson for us all I think. Please pass on my good thoughts and wishes to him - I'd like to buy him a pint one day .