Next Man Up.

Roll tide. 

Everywhere we went - that phrase was like a substitute for hello, goodbye, thank you, and you’re welcome. It was a normal greeting. An expectation. 

Smiling fanatics crowded the streets of Tuscaloosa as they made their way to the stadium entrances. 

My friend Chris, who graciously invited me, was in Crimson heaven. 

The stark difference between Memorial Stadium in Columbia and Bryant-Denny in Tuscaloosa is impossible to fully describe. To put it into perspective, Mizzou just dumped $250 Million into a stadium renovation project. Even with that investment, the University would have to build an exact replica of their current stadium and stack it on top of the existing facility for it to even compare to Bama’s. 

We are not the same. 

But as much as I wanted the tigers to win (they held their own in the first half then the wheels fell off completely), I can respect the culture of excellence that Nick Saban built. There’s one Sabanism in particular that especially helpful for special needs parents and caregivers .  . . 

"Mental toughness is going out there and doing what's best for the team." — Nick Saban

Miller recently had the chance to flex some mental toughness. He chose to do the hard thing because it was best for the team. 

While Megan and I were out of town, our niece Linley watched Jude. She was a champ. She got very little sleep, had to keep Jude occupied and fed, changed a ton of pull-ups, and even gave Jude a bath. She’s the best and we’re thankful for her. 

Here’s the thing about Jude, she loves the water. But even with that, sometimes she hesitates to get in the bath. 

Linley struggled to get her to step into the tub. That’s when Miller stepped up and lifted her in. 

I’m sure at some level it was awkward, embarrassing, and stressful for him. But he exhibited some mental toughness, pushed through, and got it done. He did what was best for the team. 

Sometimes as special needs parents we have intrusive and frequent thoughts about who will care for our children when we’re gone. What will that look like? What do we need to do now to prepare?

But then we remember that, when called upon, our village has stepped up each time. They love Jude and she loves them. 

She’ll be in good hands when we’re gone. Caring hands. Helping hands. 

And even her big brother’s hands to lift her into the tub. 

Thank you Lord specifically for all the great people you have put in Jude’s life. The way the treat Jude is an example of how the world should work. Thank you that their influence in my life has changed me just as much as Jude has. Amen. 

PS - I’m excited for football season. M-I-Z!