To start the list off, we have Dan Uggla (Braves player). When I met Tori, I kept hearing all about "Mr. Dan," but since I wasn't a baseball person (YET!) I didn't know who he was. I just knew he brought a lot of joy to Tori. I had heard about him coming up to Tori at batting practice before a game and talking to her, I had heard about him taking pictures with her and signing Braves paraphernalia for her and Hunter, I had heard about the late night texts between the two of them, and I had heard of the Ipad he got for her. The list goes on of everything Mr. Dan was doing for Tori at the time I met her! Then, one night when I was at the hospital with her, him and Janette stopped by to say a quick hello. They had been out all day, and it was obviously late. But the fact that he still made a way to come visit her said a lot. He brought her roses and sat in the hospital bed with her while she asked a list of random questions she had. Dan continues to brighten her day with texts, prayers, and Braves tickets. He surely doesn't have to do any of this, but he chooses to...because there are still good people out there.
The next well known person is Lauren Alaina. In the midst of all her new fame and her career taking off, she met Tori at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and recognized the special bond (doesn't everyone who meets Tori!?). She gave them her contact info without thinking twice about it, and has kept in close contact with Tori. Most recently (this is what I was referring to in the post below), Lauren had a concert with Alan Jackson in Columbus on May 5. She was oh so excited when she found out Penny and Tori could pick her up early in the morning and she could hang out with Tori all day. After spending an afternoon together at the house and going to the Farm House for lunch, it was time to get ready for the concert.
Before the concert, Lauren had invited Tori to sing "Georgia Peaches" with her on stage that night!! This was not only a big deal because thousands were watching, but because Lauren had the heart to share her spotlight with someone who is struggling. Here's a link to the YouTube video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_1UG5msJv8
The list goes on and on and on of people and organizations that have reached out to help Tori. From Cascade Hills church hosting the Diva Dash, to 93.3 the Joy FM praying for Tori on air, to the Capital City board welcoming Tori with open arms, people are still willing to give up some of themselves to help others who need it.
I have witnessed a man walk up to Tori at the hospital in Columbus and hand her a $5 dollar bill, and I have heard about people paying for their meals when at a restaurant. I have encountered tons of people who have complimented Tori on various things (from her outfits to dancing abilities), to people who have offered all sorts of services and items.
At the Tim Tebow event this past weekend, people all around us were going out of their way for her! The younger guy sitting next to me gave up his aisle seat just so Tori could see Tim Tebow better. A lady at the church gathered six bibles for her to sit on so she could see better, and a man who had already come up and told her how beautiful she was went and found a pillow to put on top of the bibles. When she started getting tired and leaned her head on my shoulder, the couple behind us just patted me on the back. And yet when Tebow signed footballs were being given away to children only, our whole section was screaming "over here! over here!" while pointing at Tori...even other little kids who wanted her to have a football over themselves. Eventually a man came and put her on his shoulders and ran her to the front of they could see her better. Like I said, the list goes on and on.
God always uses His people for the better. If we can take the time to stop dwelling on our circumstances and look around, we will quickly realize just how much good there is, and hopefully what WE can do to spread the joy and helping hands.
-Love in Christ,
Leighton
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