Guest of honor (twice!)

Sometimes, membership has its privileges. Such was the case on Friday night when Cooper got to be the guest of honor at the Chatfield High School football game in Denver. Their head coach is the husband of a wonderful gal with whom I serve on the board of Cardiac Kids (a volunteer

organization at Children's that hosts fun events for cardiac families and raises awareness about pediatric heart defects and disease). She approached me a few weeks ago and asked if Cooper would be interested in being a guest of honor at the game. That meant being on the field for the game, and going into the locker room with the players before the game and at halftime. Um, yeah . . I think we can arrange that! Chatfield was ranked #2 in the state in 5A going into the game and they beat up on Westminster in a big way winning 56-8.

Last year when Cooper had his pacemaker surgery, Tracy brought a signed football from all the players and a shirt. Coop has worn that shirt so much it almost has holes. So, he already loved this team. Not only does Chatfield have an outstanding team, they are the neatest group of kids you'll ever meet (in large part because of their head coach). These kids, along with the pom squad, have volunteered at many of our Cardiac Kids functions and fundraisers and they do it with a smile on their face.

Before the game, Doug and Cooper squeezed into the locker room with the players and coaches and the head coach, Bret, proceeded to talk about what it means to play with heart. He

introduced Cooper and told his story, including that it is hard for him that he can't play football. He talked about what really matters in life and what it means to be given a second chance at life. (OK, I get teary eyed just retelling this story). He presented Cooper with a jersey, hat and shirt. Then, at halftime, the team was so far ahead that he talked to the kids about what it means to win with class and let the JV squad finish out the game. The players were all awesome to Cooper and he certainly had a night to remember! Needless to say, we are Chatfield Charger official fans!!

Coop and I were also guests of honor of Brandon's last week when we got to attend a Rockies game and sit in the front row. This meant a nice buffet dinner in the Coors Clubhouse before the game, padded front row seats, and our own server during the game bringing us treats. Works for me! So fun to see the players up that close and be able to look into their dugout. Though we won't be sitting in these seats for the playoffs, we have tickets in hand and can't wait for some ROCKTOBER!

In the Coors Clubhouse before the game

Looking right into the Rockies dugout

Thanks, Uncle Brandon!