Jacob, Samantha, and Ryan Wilson

We don’t really remember the first time we “met” Erin. We had known about her and her family for quite some time. Jacob had taken a class from Walter and we had learned much about Erin through mutual friends. Our first image of Erin is her standing on the stage at Relay for Life when she was the honorary chair. The two things I remember the most from that night are her smile and her laugh. We have had the joy of seeing Erin fairly regularly at Branch over the past couple of years and because Ryan plays on sports teams with Noah’s younger brother, we see her at the ball-field on occasion as well.

Erin and her family exude this truly positive energy, a spirit that is incredibly powerful and moving. It always strikes me when I stand next to Erin that she is not a physically imposing young girl….yet, in my interactions with her, the stories I hear about her….she seems larger than life itself. When you look at her, especially with her broad smile, you can almost see her spirit dance!

Ryan’s experience several years ago helped us to focus our priorities in life and has colored many of the things that we do. Like Erin, Davis, Walter and Vicki, we spend a great deal of time together as a family….whether it is playing basketball on the driveway, playing soccer on our king-sized bed (yes, we really do this – especially when the weather outside is being uncooperative), fishing in a nearby pond, or exploring our backyard. Not everyone understands the kinds of games we play but when you have had to entertain a 3 year-old with nothing more than a blown-up surgical glove for over 8 hours in a treatment room, well, you know that things get quite creative! BTW, we called that glove-soccer and often had our doc and nurses involved as well.

Ryan and I also love playing football in the backyard. Because of his desire to play tackle football, he and I often head out into the backyard, with its thick, soft St. Augustine grass, don our best athletic gear (sans pads and helmets), and engage in the epic battle of the sport. He loves to receive the ball, run down the “field” and avoid being tackled by his mom. His mom, on the other hand, is not as speedy as she used to be and is often the target of a 7-year old hurling himself at her through the air. We typically land to a fit of laughter.

We also enjoy lots of books, including the Magic Tree House series, Cam Jansen (but don’t tell anyone, since Cam is a girl!), Jigsaw Jones, The Zack Files, and Harry Potter. Ryan started reading the first Harry Potter book this summer and although it is a hard read for him, he keeps going…and in fact, loves to take it in the car with him.

Our favorite movie so far has to be Transformers. It is the first (and only) PG13 movie Ryan has ever seen. We did not get to see it on the big screen but have enjoyed it at home…a lot! I am not sure what it means to be a mom who can actually quote Optimus Prime….at least Ryan thinks I’m cool! Ryan is also a big fan of Star Wars, Madagascar, and That Thing You Do (a movie directed by Tom Hanks about a one-hit-wonder band called the Wonders….Ryan likes the drummer named Guy. He enjoyed watching the drum scenes so much that he has asked for a real drum set for Christmas…..I hope Santa also knows something about soundproofing since we have neighbors that live fairly close).

Other than time spent playing, being with friends and family, fishing, reading books, or watching movies, Ryan also loves to swing. He especially enjoys the swings on the front playground at Branch. He says it makes him feel like he is flying. When I sit and watch him do this, I can see the joy and wonder on is face as he literally rockets through the air. On occasion, he will jump off (at times, a bit too high for his mom’s liking) and for just a moment, I can tell by his expression, that he experiences what it must feel like to soar!

Erin, we love reading about you and your family, and the wonderful things that you do…your work to be a strong advocate for pediatric cancer issues (I don’t know many junior high students who actually get calls “just to chat” from their state representatives), your gourmet creations, your athletic accomplishments, your academic achievements…..but mostly, we just love to hear about you, well, being you. That bright, vibrant and incredibly special young woman who seems to have the ability to truly touch all whom she meets!

Erin, we send you best wishes and keep you in our hearts!