Weston Wayne’s Warriors
Last week, I needed to go to Tremonton and Logan to do some secret shopping for my training company. So yes, I am admitting I traveled to Utah on purpose. And you’re right, I am quite brave, thank you. It also allowed Kristi and I a chance to get away for a nice road trip.
When I finished with my secret shopping and we had lunch it was time to head back to Idaho. Now I have a time honored rule for traveling to Utah. If you have survived the Utah drivers, you earn the right to stop at Gossner’s Cheese Factory in Logan. If you haven’t been to Gossner’s, I recommend you try the different types of cheese curds they offer.
Kristi and I had finished our shopping at Gossner’s and were waiting in the checkout line when I noticed the young man behind us. He was wearing a t-shirt with a stick figure of a young boy in a cap and it said, “Weston Wayne’s Warriors.” I knew it had to be for a young boy going through some type of medical treatments. “Do you mind me asking who Weston Wayne is?” I asked the young man. “It’s for my three year old cousin that has Leukemia,” he replied. Kristi and I both expressed our deep sorrow in hearing that news. He told us a little more about the young boy and it was heart breaking. I handed the young man a business card from the Foundation and explained what we do and how we wanted to help. “Please let the parents know about the Foundation and tell them we would like to help them out,” I said. We talked a little more with the young man and found out he is from Rexburg.
Later that day, I received a text from the young man with the contact information for the young boy’s parents. I called and talked with the Dad and found out they live in Ashton. We joked about the fact that two guys from Idaho had to go to Utah to meet. We had a nice talk and he sent me some pictures of Weston with some details about his condition. I told him I would send him a check the next day and wanted to stay in touch with them.
I thought about this young boy and his family, and decided I wanted to include their family in the Foundation’s Adopt-A-Family for Christmas program. I remembered my conversation with the young man in Logan and him saying they weren’t sure how successful the treatments they are doing now are going to be. I called the Dad and told him what I wanted to do for Weston for Christmas. “I don’t want this to sound harsh, but do you think Weston will be here for Christmas?” I asked. The dad replied, “We hope so, but we’re not really sure. There is a chance he might not be.” That broke my heart. “Then I will get the items together so he can enjoy them now,” I told him. I had noticed in one of Weston’s pictures there was a John Deere tractor-cycle in the background. “Would he like some John Deere items?” I asked. “He would love that!” the dad replied. “I know some parts managers that would love to donate some items,” I said.
I want to thank Mike Mortimer, Layne Anderson, and Brett Barney from the C&B John Deere dealership for the support they have always given the Foundation. Thanks to their amazing generosity, we were able to get some really nice John Deere toys and caps for Weston. We will get together next week to give them to Weston along with some Foundation t-shirts for his two older sisters.
I can’t thank all of you enough for your donations and support. Your kindness and compassion allowed me the opportunity to help this family out. With everything going on in our country, it is these experiences that help me stay focused on the positive things I can do for our community. You are the real MVP’s. Thanks for reading.
Next week: Lost opportunities
P.S. Another tradition of surviving the Utah drivers is lunch at the Bluebird restaurant in Logan, but they were closed. The Covid-19 Apocalypse strikes again.