My job as a sports blogger is to be snarky and judgmental about everything, but earlier today I posted a video of a grateful kid being happy about baseball so I might not have any idea what I’m doing. Looking around for stories to close out the week, I browsed through cheerleader slideshows and BMX failz until I came across Lily Anderson’s performance of the Star-Spangled Banner during Thursday’s “Rally Night” at Turner Field. She has cancer (stage 4 neuroblastoma) and received the longest standing ovation Braves reliver Peter Moylan has ever seen.
I thought to myself, “oh, this would be nice” and figured I’d close out the weekend with that, instead of the NASCAR lady who used to model bikinis.
And then I started looking for a picture for the header.
[Lily] thinks peace signs are really cool, loves turtles and playing with her friends. She loves to ride dirt bikes with her Dad, and looks forward to the weekly Sunday visits with her Grandma and Grandpa. Lime green is her very favorite color and as with most girls her age, clothes are really special; in fact she is often known by her nickname “Style Anderson.”
I browsed through her Facebook fan page to see if there were any high res pictures of her performing at the game. That’s sorta my job. I’ve been on the Internet a long time, and nothing really gets to me. I looked at her wall photos, and down at the bottom is a dimly-lit picture of her in a hospital bed, losing a little bit of her hair, holding a big sign that says “I made millions of stem cells!” She’s smiling so big, and it just sort of hit me, right in the middle of my chest, in the part of the heart that gets the brain’s credit for feeling the weight of things.
I typed something, then deleted it. Stared at the screen. Typed, deleted.
I’m not sure what I want to tell you. Just … show this video to people. “Like” her Facebook fan page, if that matters, and visit her website. Let her know goddamn stupid life is, and how awesome she is for being okay with it. I don’t know how to say it, but I want to, and am going to spend the rest of the day figuring out how.
![[avatar]](http://p.uproxxcdn.com/photo/1245/thumb)
![[image]](http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/Johnny-Manziel-with-Davey-Johnson-180x180.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/bluth-frozen-banana-stand-yankee-stadium-180x180.png)
![[image]](http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/Sad-James-Dolan-is-Sad-180x180.jpg)
![[image]](http://cdn.wl.uproxx.com/wp-content/thumbnails/130/110/2013/05/jeon-jun-woo-willie-mays-hayes-180x180.png)
Very nice.
It’s only July & the Grinch already has a heart?
I’ve commented on websites maybe twice in my life other than right now. All I can say is you posting this did something that we all need from time to time… gave proper perspective to the stuff we whine and complain about. Thanks for that.
Damnit…how’d it get so dusty in my office all of a sudden?
damn man. that was rough.
Wow! I chanced on this site from Canada and it brought tears and smiles,,,God bless her
Right there with you Brandon. Gotta say something…don’t know what. Maybe just this: That kid is awesome, deserves better, and if there’s a such thing as karma, she’s got a ton of it coming her way. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go tell my kid I love her.
Well said. BTW you made her facebook page…
[blogs.ajc.com]
Braves back up catcher J.C. Boscan, who was called up Wednesday from AAA because Brian McCann was injured, met Lily last year while he was playing with the AAA team NE of Atlanta in Gwinnett and has worn one of her bracelets ever since.
Lily has made a positive difference in this world, more than most with many times her years can say.
Pat on the back for McCann too, who is a spokesman for Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research.
This is her second battle with cancer!! She beat it once about a year to a year and a half ago and it is back. The Andersons have the most awesome faith through all of this. PLEASE become a fan of her Facebook page, check out her website, pray, or anything else. You will be inspired!
Lily, you are a little doll. Can I take you to your high school prom?
I have two daughters so you can guess if I teared up some while watching that awesome girl sing.
Seriously, as if just hearing our National Anthem alone doesn’t make that single drop of water appear in the corner of my eye… Thank you for sharing this.
God giveth, and God taketh away. However, Lily keeps giving, and giving, and giving during the toughest battle of her little life. As I type this post with tears steadily streaming, thank for sharing the story of this most remarkable young lady. She will be in my daily prayers.
Prayers to you, Lily…..you are my hero…you are so beautiful with n angelic voice…Godspeed..
Dayum! I’m facing my own cancer diagnosis but I’m 50 years old. I’m watching this and just sitting here thinking “God, just take any extra days you were going to bless me with and put them on Lily’s account.” I sure don’t want to die, but I got to experience a good life – I truly hope this young warrior gets that same luxury.