The Goal of 16
Last night was Opening Night for our hometown NHL Florida Panthers and what a treasure it was to arrive to them all in Jose Fernandez #16 jerseys for warm up. I became immediately emotional at the sight - such a statement to make as so many around the world are still grieving. Witnessing his name on the back of each jersey brought back chilling yet beautiful memories of Jose and the first game we played without him. 16 everywhere. Everywhere. To see athletes from every sport, in every city, and every state support our friend with such class and passion...it just continues to speak so loudly to the person Jose was and the joy he brought to this life. We miss you so much, Jose.
To honor our friend - and with great delight - the Panthers took a few moments right before game time to present a generous donation to Jose's foundation. Adam was asked if he'd be able to accept the award on behalf of the team and Jose's family and proudly, he said yes. And so, the three of us drove to Sunrise, FL yesterday for Opening Night.
With Dee Gordon - our second baseman - by his side, the Fish accepted the gift with bright smiles and full hearts. A $35,000 check - donated by Panther teammates, staff, and management - will be given to the JDF16 Foundation, which was created by his family.
It was yet another beautiful moment that's come out of such awful tragedy, but seeing this community continue to pull together...you couldn't ask for more. Thank you Panthers for the humility, generosity, and grace you showed this great country last night. We are so proud to call you our Hometown Team.
And so, we bought Amelia a jersey to make it official!
And let me tell you, the girl loves hockey. Everything about it. But mostly the huge candy bowls they had everywhere in the special club the Panthers invited us into. Can't say I blame her!
We enjoyed every moment of our time at BB&T Center in front of our (mine and Amelia's) first NHL game EVER! This little lady doesn't realize yet what incredible things she's seen in just a year and a half of life, making me so grateful for our ability to capture these memories in photos to show her later. Her first hockey game ever and she got to see some of it from the glass?! We are so grateful. What an experience.
Twice this pig tailed beauty made it on the big screen last night. She danced and sang and cheered and clapped for her team, but once she finished her tiny cup of gummy bears, all her attention went directly to destroying the plastic cup. Naturally. And then, "Sreepy Mama, sreepy," were the next words coming from her mouth.
We left with a few minutes remaining in the second period, but we saw enough to know that we LOVE live hockey and will be back to watch many more Panthers games in their beautiful arena. Thank you for the hospitality, love, and grace you showed us, Panthers! And thank you to the Marlins for allowing Adam to accept this gift on behalf of the team, Jose's family, and Jose. We feel so honored.
And just in case you wanted yet another example of God's involvement in all of this:
At the end of regulation in last night's game, the score was tied. We went into overtime. Scoring the goal and sending the Panthers home with their first victory of 2016 on Opening Night - in which they all wore 16 during their warmup in tribute to Jose - was the Panther's NUMBER 16, Aleksander Barkov. God continues to work through this tragedy and it's just so beautifully apparent to those who have eyes open and willing to see it. We serve a mighty, powerful, and very much alive King! Thank you Jesus!!!
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