Just Keep Putting

Fore! I'm not much of a golfer, but I do know that those golfing around me should probably keep their heads up for their own safety.  

For the third year in a row, Grace was asked to be the honorary starter at the Indian Springs Invitational golf outing, a very competitive tournament in our area. Although the tournament starts very early in the morning, organizer Jim Odle is gracious enough to let Grace come and start the second half of the tournament after lunch. No one in our house is really an early morning person, so that works out great.

The golfers held a 50/50 drawing to raise money for INAD research.

The first year, Kyle helped Grace to sink her putt on the practice green, but he was sick last year, so I was the stand in.  Fortunately for me (and Grace), they let us putt pretty close to the hole.  And I got to help Grace once again this year.

Hanging out with Jim before Grace's big shot.

We met mom and dad at the golf course for lunch, cooked up by club owners Wade and Natalie Fuller.  Lunch was delicious, and we enjoyed visiting with some of the golfers as they made their way in for lunch.  After everyone gathered back in the clubhouse, Jim asked Kyle to say a few words about our journey and invited golfers to participate in a 50/50 raffle for INAD research or simply to donate.  One golfer even gave Kyle $50 to take me out to eat, and the Fullers gave us 10% of the proceeds from the tourney.  We are so truly blessed.

Grace and I attempting to sink our putt.

Everywhere we go, we are so grateful to share our story and help raise more awareness for INAD.  The golf tournament alone has raised more than $2,500 in the last three years.

Jim congratulated Grace after finishing her two-putt.

After we finished greeting the golfers, we headed out to the putting green, where Jim gave her one of his personalized golf balls. He said he will give her one every year she comes out.  Kyle is hoping to paint the putter Jim gave her last year purple before next year's event as well.

Posing with the golf star!

Kyle grabbed the camera, and I sat Grace on my knee.  Even though Jim put her ball very close to the hole, it still took us two putts to make it. But it just goes to show that even if it doesn't happen on the first try, you should never give up.  Grace teaches me that lesson over and over again all the time.  Her strength and perseverance in physical therapy every week remind me that we should always keep trying.

We were so glad that Grandma and Grandpa Galer could come too!

So we do. There are many dark days on this Grace-filled journey, but friends like Jim Odle and the golfers at Indian Springs certainly make for some bright times. And remember to keep trying, even if you miss the putt.

mlh