Luck is a strange concept. I’ve said how lucky we are several times since Ash’s passing, and while it’s true that we do have much to be grateful for, I’m not sure lucky is the proper word. Lucky people don’t get diagnosed with stage IV cancer at 36. Lucky children don’t lose their father at such a young age. Lucky women don’t lose their husband at 37. Those are not lucky things.

Ash consulted with 3 oncologists post diagnosis – one in Chesapeake, VA, one at Johns Hopkins and one at Duke. We chose Duke for several reasons – 1. the team was incredible from the get go. Our first appointment there lasted approximately 7 hours because they did not rush us. We were hit with the most devastating blow of our lives and they stayed with us, talked with us, sent us a grief counselor, performed tests immediately and just all around made us feel seen, important and cared for. b. The drive to Duke was way more enticing than driving to Baltimore 2 weeks on, 1 week off for the foreseeable future. 3. (which is very similar to our first reason) – it didn’t feel like we were getting drive thru service or were an inconvenience to anyone (as it may have at some other places…).

Ash’s team was incredible. It felt like they loved us, and if not love, cared for us deeply. They arranged for Jack to practice with Duke’s baseball team. To this day, Jack claims it was the best day of his life. He took batting practice, did drills, ran, threw, did everything the team did for approximately 4 hours or so. At one point the coach asked him if wanted to come sit with his parents and take a break. Nope. Where do you want me next was his reply! He had the best day that day. He felt lucky. He’s going to go to Duke one day and play baseball for Duke. That is his goal, his dream. He even wrote a letter to Coach Pollard (Duke’s head baseball coach) and told him he’d see him in 10 years! It was the best letter I’ve ever read.

Our goal last baseball season was to get him to a Duke baseball game, but with everything we had going on, we just didn’t make it happen, much to our disappointment. So this baseball season is upon us. Our most favorite time of the year. And we are headed to our first ever Duke baseball game this weekend. I decided to be a little bold myself and reach out to Coach Pollard. I doubt he remembers us so in the email I include a picture of Ash, Jack and him from “the best day of Jack’s life” and explain how and when we met him, and what has happened since then. I let him know we would be at Sunday’s game and Jack would be thrilled if he could shake your hand, step on the field or even serve as “Bat Boy” for Sunday’s game, also knowing full well that with all the lawyers in the world and all the liability rules in place, that probably won’t happen. I had my doubts that I would even hear back from the head Duke baseball coach. He happens to be a little busy this time of year.

But guess what? Is luck on our side? Is that the right word for it? Luck or not, I did hear back from busy Coach Pollard and he would be honored to have Jack on the field with his team for batting practice before the game. Also, he would love it if Jack would throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game. I was right about the whole liability thing of a kid being in the dugout for the game so no bat boy position. But holy shit!!!!! How exciting is this? How happy is this going to make Jack? How incredible is this coach to do such an amazing thing for our family? For the second time!!

I cannot say enough good things about Duke University and I know, living in NC, you either love them or hate them, but I’m not quite sure anyone should hate such a kind-hearted, incredible program. Everyone we have come in contact with has been so incredibly kind to us. Maybe it’s luck. Maybe it’s because our circumstances fucking suck. Maybe it’s because some of the best people in the world work at Duke University. Whatever it is, we are grateful for all of it.

So if you find yourself in Durham, NC on Sunday around 11 am, come on out to the Durham Bulls Stadium and watch my boy do what he does best!

Even in the darkest of times, there always seems to be a light nearby, leading us into a brighter future, one with more joy than sorrow, more happy than sad, more laughter than anger. Lucky? Maybe not but so many great things are one the horizon for the JonesBoysMama and her incredible JonesBoys.