There are so many things I love about working in
Worthington, but none more than the way the community rallies to support and
encourage one another during times of need.
This is seen each fall when food drive competitions are held to help
restock the Worthington Food Pantry, during the holiday season when our
students and staff draw together to provide gifts for others in the community
who are in need, and, sadly, it is unbelievably evident at times like this when
someone who is loved and cared about in the community dies.
Perhaps you didn’t know Drew George. Drew was not one of “my” students, but
everyone knew this 2016 WKHS graduate because of his bright red hair, his
athletic talent, and his strength. Drew
played soccer, basketball and baseball during his years at WKHS. During the fall of his sophomore year of high
school Drew was diagnosed with leukemia.
He fought bravely and always with a smile on his face. That spring, he received a transplant from
his older sister, Tori, during her senior year of high school. He later relapsed and received a second
transplant from a stranger. Sadly, this
year he relapsed yet again and even though he fought with everything in him,
Drew’s battle has ended.
I mentioned that I personally didn’t know Drew well, but in
so many ways I felt as if I did because I have heard the most incredible “Drew
Stories” over the years from his friends, family members and the WKHS
staff. So here is what I can tell you
about Drew. When I think of him, I will
always think of a story Mrs. Gratz shared of being at a Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society Light the Night event with Drew and her niece, Chloe (who had battled
leukemia at just 6 years old). During
the ceremony Drew and Chloe held hands and went forward to celebrate their
survival against cancer. Drew, as Mrs.
Gratz’s student, and Chloe, each hold incredibly precious places in her heart
and even the thought of them, hand-in-hand, standing there to celebrate their
success in the fight against cancer brings tears to my eyes. Or, perhaps it would be the story of Drew and
the connection he had with one of my student’s families who felt that Drew was
the brother they never had in their family of girls. They knew that Drew would always have their
back no matter what, but he loved to laugh and have fun too... even if they
were trying to force him to watch The Bachelor with them. There are stories of Mr. Souder (always known
as Coach to Drew) giving Drew haircuts and their two families sharing in regular
outings for “El Vaquero nights.” There
were stories of Drew playing hide and go seek in the dark in the basement. And, there are lots of stories with Drew
involving sports like Drew going to OSU football games and Drew’s passion for
Lebron James, Tiger Woods, and pretty much anything sports related. But most of all, it would be the stories of
his strength.
You see, Drew was strong WITHOUT cancer. Cancer just put a spotlight on him and his
strength. Drew believed firmly in
friendship and prized the relationship with his friends. Yet he also was generous with his time and
attention and could make others feel important even if they were not in his
inner circle. Nothing was more important
to Drew though than his family. He loved
them fiercely and wanted to be strong for them no matter what was
happening. And, during his battle with
cancer, this was clearly evident. Drew
hated to see those he loved sad and struggling.
He wanted to take away their pain.
He wanted to know that they were ok now and would be ok in the
future. And through everything he always
tried to maintain a smile on his face and a “can do” attitude. When everyone else was devastated at the news
that his cancer had returned for a 3rd time, Drew simply said, I
have beat it twice before, I can do it again and his courage gave everyone else
hope and courage too.
So, where does that leave us now? Sad.
So many in our Worthington Community are sad today. They are feeling lost and confused,
questioning and hurting, angry and disappointed because this was NOT the end of
the story anyone had wanted. And that is
ok. We need to feel all of those
feelings – as uncomfortable as they are – because that is what allows us to
grieve and to grow. But then we also
have a responsibility to Drew. His
strength was too big for one young man.
His gift is that if you knew him in person or even if you had only heard
of him, that strength is now yours to hold onto, to nurture and to spread to
the world around you. We need more
strength in our world today and now, as a way to honor Drew’s memory, we all
can work to be #DrewStrong in our own hearts, minds and lives each day.
That isn’t always easy, but just as Drew gave so many gifts
to our community, it is the greatest gift we can now give back to Drew…
Please remember, that if you are struggling
with managing your feelings related to Drew’s death or any circumstance in your
life, help and support are always available.
2 comments:
Beautifully written Brianna!
#drewstrongforever
Cathy and Jack Corcoran
Thank you Brianna.
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