By Mark Matteson

"My oldest son, Colin was three years old. The doctors told us after a series of tests that he had a tumor, a cyst on his trachea. The specialist was concerned it might be malignant. He wanted to operate, immediately. I was 31 years old and scared out of my mind. It was the most devastating news I had ever heard up to that point in my life. I was a basket case. I went to coffee with a group of friends. I cried as I shared my fear about the upcoming operation, which was later that morning. I asked everyone to pray for Colin.

Children’s Hospital in Seattle is an amazing place. They make children and adults feel safe and secure. Their staff is caring, kind and considerate. They reassured my wife and me everything would be okay. They involved us in the process, it was comforting. When they drugged him as I held him in my arms, I started to cry again. Colin was only three. Was he going to die? What would happen? As the doctors pried my son from my arms, I wept like a baby. They wheeled him through the sterile, white double doors into the operating room. I was terrified, empty, and bankrupt.

At the point when I was more afraid than I had ever been. I felt lost and alone. The moment seemed to last an hour. Then, when I most needed comfort, my friend and mentor, Larry, and one of his friends Steve, came walking around the corner with a concerned but caring look on their faces.. They hugged me and assured me he was in good hands and that everything would work out well. That was 15 years ago.

Colin scored 20 points in the state High School All Star game at Gonzaga University last weekend. In the fourth quarter, he brought his team back from a 7 point deficit with stifling defense on the other team’s leading scorer. In the last two-minutes, he calmly hit four free throws to put his team ahead. They won by five points. I was so proud..

He is 6-8" and wears a size 16 shoe. I look up to him in more ways than one. His basketball future is bright indeed. I am grateful.

Larry and Steve taught me that morning 15 years ago that Love is a Verb.

People will forget what you say and they will forget what you do, however, they will always remember how you made them feel. - Mark Matteson