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Ϋje_AçZмxu>!4sso(Yi}VQǛ#i9/+8¨ tkK Ck#?'EDirQc5SY2[\r:iB]"YL`PT`wbxD ZɶI3b;pIҪYxjH'9\V.k'<{RV g*RHf@Y#޴hR.Ss#L5Qy*z٥ (<$&adu9pNS^@G]v4QHz89Q'+n=@yq2lp?,Α<8a|5ve{;yT;~}jܶOhLpAż$;v4yCqb)h[fBYۜoeV76ҊN1 cE;0 sz.F" 8$r?:qo!BpN13ִAwNw3Nj@} vgH+ZH$v|`rEr*L[[H;=q]k#*v 7Ν*v#I1s鸧=2gVy#ivZs6 wP?-6QOait *$#h+pYJVk6ݾbF2}?nGdO+8 BĒiyFX&old[ym;XH̷R#nqMCodr>=F`2A`UolVͪ9RrO$֭%f<>1)*̡!9?2'If|xzcvZ$@T[C?,ݣWe9t~UHF3U ?r#Ikƛs*>BH9+֥q%=z$o 3ޒ"J@Hibp$'?PK亏Jힸ5YRL=:uCA]8c:9iQAq(BZw{p t  7z7{o,+# 9E 戦9 ru6>cn <|23qEDאv$M9*XAf,!7!7\%&.sj$FzmYXRNAݕ>JȨ#+C!p5 w1I\|ϑTR-e12ӤA.U d)6 AE-n_SPW&#qJ -Va'*+Wr 1<~lQYG|?R92P@;RL<),DɀP`3P/Bq&HpH$b\ңǓ4`  N3K YnhD;YҬ)b.P/p;BxRjIe`nij,p!QO'?*RRw9I$/=\uT#n7U\d2銕[*J1 ̈XYzUbJ|`;@6%urHGLu[`IJVbOJg09c=P'IȤRؽyf $nrr[O-Z QUv>L\s{Տ5ẜNй'VKVi0Cv `C#> 9Ƕ:S [8&g@s$3a?8qR %VJ00O28̻e|М XŽ19")\ߏ3 eeV$+T^)󀷊qК(J͸95+Q;# 㡪6r7[9xϵ&db/vTyS\try. When I contacted Steve recently to set up this article, he asked me if I remembered him. Here is what I wrote to him:<br> Coach Brooks, I have always held you in high esteem as a coach and as a man. But it is your example as a father that I cherish most about our acquaintance. I will always remember looking down at your son Craig in his crib when I stayed in your home. I was overcome and lifted by the Holy Spirit. <br>You see, at this same time I also had a son who was just a baby in a crib. My son, Mark, was healthy. Steve s son was born without eyes or an esophagus. In addition, Craig s brain was not fully functional nor would it ever be normal. It was suggested that Craig be placed under institutional care where he wasn t expected to live very long. Some even hinted at just letting little Craig pss on. However, to Steve and his wife Carol, their son was special and God s gift to them. Craig would be raised at home and be greatly loved. I was filled with emotion and gratitude for two things: First, for my son being healthy and second, for Steve s wonderful example. <br>On the recommendations of Dr. Charley Howell, Craig went through several operations and survived. Recently, Coach Brooks gave me an update and sent me a photo of his son. Craig will be 17 this June; my son Mark will turn 17 in July. Craig can hold hands with his dad and walk around the track. He smiles and can even say a few words. Steve credits his wife Carol as the one who has made Craig s life what it is today.  She has done all of the hard work, he said.  Craig s special ed teacher April has also been a true miracle worker. <br>As I looked at the photo and pondered over life s bigger picture, I reflected upon the importance of gratitude and families.<br>I finished my letter to Steve:  I know that in the afterlife Craig s body and mind will be restored. I know he will thank you for being the father that you are. Families are a forever thing. Later, Steve called me and told me he has the same feelings. <br>It s a good time now to remember our families and treasure them. Time to take a few moments to think beyond our everyday problems and focus on the big picture. <br><br>Time to be grateful.<br>\U8Zaeޅh׀ GP6pT1 SJLy7v$o BM?F],NcCNM u#q,EѬ"tmsW2AƢ(Z0T9+qΉ1KEn>F8lA肔yYzޟ WQ្MZ#OWaíBݣ9u~Xor1P:oA[M6lUJQ!>ltj/F͊ґnV(WV}?7PTCEh]X)M)O|B~Z| X.{P*k퉿}<ޑV*ٯ'ĆGa]4~ OPrPNݰ'메NA`UG<8!@5|F=B!,d=(jNsggd;POڦN-=.[yUcB |גv25@Z0Ei5c2*)zd3\h1,"y?Q*P֔f5Y-EXEjj{`/ڄG*A CMsO9Isl94a (^N?_%~^ 4`SQqǪ;f9EG$p_OC %.?Go7\\ UE;\h/p  6lتQlƭӐ؆*m`m;ӬP`\㸧BcFǧ„4>_qLӦIEn)5*n0CM׀7u1*w$Hۄ»@g|<^Hwc X"BQNP a~ԞkJЃ|NʻdT _b:G:16Hb9KtG'u0!.e$iA 3ET*5O/PEn,+ۘޘNHD9{WR%gPPfQkcRG2)76R}/Mu*K\!ԞWœ@ZU&P(SCr{<6e uRnѼn4^s5wt'@dx248*(͛h_9wWԓ6q@`=۞IJx u=ώ(qn"$7J)>??lP$a*IZ3Ҁ҄,bOm? 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