the best.

I have a son who played football and lacrosse with Garett. He was a complete mess of a kid. His family situation was downright awful. He didn't get support from home because the people were incapable of supporting. He said and did weird stuff that alienated teammates and made those around him uncomfortable and nervous... not sexual stuff, but social stuff that caused everyone to be on edge. Yet, there was something lovable about the kid. One of the people who loved him happened to be the lacrosse coach, who took him under his wing.

I watched this from a distance. The coach and his wife and kids (and their grandparents) surrounded Garett and treated him as their own. They fed him. They helped him with school work. They rescued him. Many times. When he stumbled they would help him back up. Again and again and again. They helped him with life decisions and supported him along the way. They did it because they loved him, not because of any future accolades or personal gains.

We have all seen the stories in the media but I have seen it a little more closely. He took his wife and baby to the temple a few months ago. I was not there but I imagined this massive kid dressed all in white and compared him to the enraged maniac that I did see several years ago and I have to stop and thank my Heavenly Father for chances of redemption for His children. We all stumble and we all have trials. Hopefully not as dramatic as Garett's but still, we do. I am guessing Garett will still have a few trials ahead of him, as we all do. But, watching him, with the help of non-blood related loved ones, pull himself up by the bootstraps and stand tall, prepared for amazing opportunities at an dream life for his family is inspirational to me.

I hope he succeeds to his highest hopes. And I hope the U loses every single game in his wake. I haven't prayed for many Utes, but I have for this kid.