A Special Visit

The surgeons woke us up at 6am as usual.  I groggily listened to the resident doctor and went back to sleep after he left.  At 9:20 I heard the room phone ringing, but I didn’t get up in time to answer it.  A few minutes later, the nurse was waking me up to tell me we were going to have a visitor at 10am. 

I jumped up and quickly showered.  My mom rushed in after me.  I saw Parker’s eyes open so I told him, “You have somebody coming to see you.”  I was pretty sure it would be a basketball player, but I wasn’t positive.  “Who?” He asked.  “I’m not sure,” I replied.

A little while later, we see Aaron White duck down through the door followed by Josh Oglesby. 

“Hi, I’m Aaron.”

“Hi, I’m Josh.”

 Parker was shocked and just stared at them as they shook his hand.  They checked out his cast and agreed it was the coolest cast they had ever seen.  They gave Parker a basketball and signed a few posters.  I dug his Iowa Hawkeyes basketball jersey out of his suitcase, and they signed it as well.  They talked about their favorite basketball teams and players and about the Championship game.  Parker’s huge smile stayed plastered on his face.  They told him that he should come to a practice or maybe a game when he’s up for it.  I don’t think Parker could believe it.  Before leaving they took a picture with Parker.  They then said, “Do you want a picture too?” - “YES!” my mom and I answered!  We were already so thankful they came to visit; we didn’t want to bother them for another picture.  How nice that they offered! 

They again shook hands with Parker and told him that they were happy to meet him and they hoped he felt better soon.  They were so incredibly nice.

After they left, Parker was still in shock.  He even chuckled a few times in disbelief.  He said he couldn’t believe how tall Aaron White was, and we rehashed everything that was said.

I am so thankful that they would take the time to come and visit Parker.  We’ve been to a few games, and we always watch them play on TV.  So to be a fan and have these guys live up to the expectations we had bestowed upon them is incredible.  After a few rough days and a break through the day before, this visit was a very welcome, positive reward for Parker.  I’ll always be grateful to them for the joy they provided.