2nd Annual TJ Sommers Memorial Softball Tournament

Last Saturday, July 3rd, we held the 2nd Annual TJ Sommers Memorial Softball Tournament at Allerton fields at Kent State. Mike volunteered me to be the photographer the night before, so while I was nervous about trying to get photos that would capture the event and do it justice, I was happy to have the opportunity to get so many pictures. I even got to wear a neon green shirt. It all felt quite official (if not slightly embarrassing!).

The kids came for the first half of the day. Here they are in the morning before they spent hours playing in the gravel and dirt. Mike's parents were here and they pretty much took care of the kids for me. It was a tremendous help!

Sydney and Jared got a ride in the gator that Hartville Hardware donated for the day so we could run supplies and food from the tent to the fields.

A memorial for TJ on the field where he was injured.

More memories of TJ in the tent.

Organ donation was important to TJ and he was able to save lives through the gifts of his heart & lungs, kidneys and liver. Tim Saylor was the recipient of TJ's heart and lungs. There was a little ceremony at noon on the field where TJ was hurt where Tim Saylor spoke and threw out the first pitch afterwards. It was a bit of a tear-jerker when he said that part of TJ was back home. Tim's testimony has been a real blessing. How amazing that our God has given us many glimpses into what His bigger-than-our-own plans really is. So often we have to lean on faith and trust in God without seeing, but He has been GOOD!!!

Tim Saylor's brother sent a $1,000 donation all the way from Florida. Here, TJ's parents, Tim and Mary, stand next to the sponsor sign with Tim Saylor and his wife. Yes, Tim and TJ have the same initials. Goosebumps.

Tim and Mary decided that they wanted the proceeds from the tournaments each year to go to a current need in the community. This year they picked a local family, the Marcus Sharp family, to sponsor. Marcus' daughter (and our baby-sitter!) Chelsea, has been struggling with an eating disorder. Finally, after trying all they could around here, she needed to go to Remuda Ranch to get some help and healing. They have been through so much in the past year, words can't begin to explain. Well, as insurance goes, it's not covering anything for this amazing family. What a blessing it was that day to not only honor TJ's memory but also pay forward all the kindness that the Sommers family has received in the past year to another incredibly deserving family. At the ceremony at noon Leighann Bisbin spoke on eating disorder awareness, her journey through it herself and her healing with the help of Jesus Christ. It was amazing to hear.
I caught Leighann Brisbin visiting with Chelsea after the ceremony.