Maybe It's Time You Had a Popsicle

Sometimes life can be as simple as a Popsicle.

Fenton resident Chip Beltinck had never met Katie Wyatt. His family, however, was helping to organize Katie’s Game, a fundraiser for the Fenton eighth-grader, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

So Beltinck wanted to find out what Katie really wanted for her special night.

The 14-year-old’s answer wasn’t a miracle cure, to make the pain go away, or enough strength to visit her friends again.

Her answer was “a Popsicle.”

Not just any Popsicle, however, but her favorite Popsicle, a Bomb Pop. A red, white and blue treat currently manufactured by Blue Bunny that features cherry, lime and blue raspberry flavors.

She had three on that night and enjoyed every bite of them.

My problems just became a lot smaller.

Here is this 14-year-old girl in a battle for her life and a simple Popsicle brings a smile to her face.

When’s the last time something so simple gave you such joy?

I can’t even remember.  I’ve been too worried about why my sink is leaking, what bills I have to pay and how frustrating two inches of snow on my car can be in the morning.

Friday’s event seemed to bring out the best in the community and served as a little reminder of how precious life really is.

I’ve been trying to go by the old saying and “live my life to the fullest.”

Friday night made me realize I haven’t even come close. I haven’t smiled about a Popsicle in 20 years.

I had heard Katie’s friends talk about her infectious smile and personality, but to see the bubbly teenager laugh and joke to try have as much fun as she can while she stares death in the face, well, it tugs at the heart.

Also, to see the passion and generosity in people makes you realize that good can prevail and the insignificances of life don’t really matter. What matters are the relationships you build.

On Friday night, Katie had hundreds of people to share her joy with. People she didn’t know. People that didn’t know her. It didn’t matter. Those people cared.

It shouldn’t take a teenager with cancer to remind you what is important in life.

So, the next time you get frustrated when someone cuts you off on the road, you can’t find your keys or you curse yourself for forgetting milk at the grocery store, just stop, have a popsicle and smile.