Nathan Wick

Sometimes bad things happen to really good people. It happened to my family. Tragedy never warns you either. It just hits you right in the face; and when that happens there are all kinds of ways to react - but at the core of it all, a person can do two things: either crumble or stand tall and do whatever it takes to beat the tragedy. This week, a student at my former school had an accident, and he and his family instantly have a lot of uncertainty in their face. Time has probably all but stopped for them. The waiting is the hardest - if results of an important test are expected in the afternoon, it makes the morning feel like an eternity. Whether the results or news is good or bad, though, we still have to face the next hurdle and do all we can to get over it. In Nate's case, maybe the hurdle is waking up or responding to commands; then eventually talking and walking and eating and laughing and playing sports again and going back to school. He will do all those things. We all wish they'd happen sooner, but sometimes things worth while take a long time to happen. For the Wick's sake, I hope it doesn't take 79 days for things to get back on track (as my dad was in the hospital 79 days), but whenever the fighter gets back home and returns to normal life, it will be worth it. Tragedy is a good teacher .. but it's like the teacher you hate when they're teaching, but look back on and realize how much you learned from them. Nate, keep fighting. Tough times only strike only a certain kind of person - the tough type. 

A thousand things add up that you don't realize when you're staying in a hospital, driving to and from places, eating meals away from home. If you feel willing to help the Wicks with their sudden battle - click here. Read more about Nate and donate to the family. Right now, money should be the last thing on their mind.