Saddest and best news story I have seen in a long time

[AngryAmish]

<http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/564730>

"SUSSEX - Jacob Vanderlaan loves tractors.

So much so that the nine-year-old, who is dying of cancer, told the Children's Wish Foundation he wanted to visit the John Deere factory in Moline, Ill. to see the tractors and other farm implements there.

But the boy everyone knows as 'Jake' is too ill to travel, so the tractors came to him Friday as the extended family that is the farming community around Sussex organized a parade past the boy's home as he lay on a folded-down seat at the living room window."

read the whole thing

[Arugula Latte]

1. Hoo boy ... I don't think I can click and read the whole thing.

:cry:

[Gormy Cuss]

2. That was poignant.

I'm so glad that the little boy got to see all of those John Deeres.

[ogneopasno]

3. OMG, it's just like "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine!

I was on the outskirts of a little southern town
Tryin' to reach my destination Before the sun went down
The old CB was blarin' away on channel 1-9
When there came a little boy's voice on the radio line
And he said Breaker 1-9, Is anyone there
Come on back truckers, And talk to Teddy Bear

Well I keyed the mike and said You got it, Teddy Bear
And a little boy's voice came back on the air
Preciate the break, who we got on that end?
I told him my handle And then he began

"Now I'm not supposed to bother you fellows out there
Mom says you're busy and for me to stay off the air
But you see I get lonely and it helps to talk
'Cause that's about all I can do, I'm crippled and I can't walk."

I came back and told him to fire up that mike
And I'd talk to him as long as he liked
"This was my dad's radio," the little boy said
"But I guess it's mine and mom's now 'Cause my daddy's dead.
Dad had a wreck about a month ago
He was trying to get home in a blindin' snow
Mom has to work now to make ends meet
And I'm not much help with my two crippled feet.

She says not to worry, that we'll make it alright
But I hear her crying sometimes late at night
You know there's one thing I want more than anything else to see --
Aw, I know you guys are too busy to bother with me --
But you see,
My dad used to take me for rides when he was home
But.... I guess that's all over now since my daddy's gone."

Not one breaker came on the old CB
As that little crippled boy talked with me
I tried hard to swallow a lump
That just wouldn't stay down
As I thought about my boy back in Greenville Town
"Dad was going to take mom and me with him
Later on this year. Why l remember him saying,
'Someday this old truck will be yours, Teddy Bear!'
But I know I'll never get to ride an 18-wheeler again
But this old base will keep me in touch with all my trucker friends.
Teddy Bear's gonna back on out now and leave you alone
'Cause it's about time for Mom to come home.
But you give me a shout when you're passin' through
And I'll sure be happy to come back to you."

Well I came back and I said "Uh...Before you go 10-10
What's your home 20, Little CB friend?"

Well he gave me his address and I didn't once hesitate
'Cause this hot load of freight was just gonna have to wait
I turned that truck around on a dime
And headed straight for Jackson Street, 229
And as I rounded the corner
Oh I got one heck of a shock
l8 wheelers were lined up for three city blocks
Why I guess every driver for miles around
Had caught Teddy Bear's call
And that little crippled boy was having a ball
For as fast as one driver would carry him in
Another would carry him to his truck and take off again
Well you better believe I took my turn at riding Teddy Bear
And then I carried him back in and put him down in his chair
And buddy if I never live to see happiness again
I want you to know I saw it that day
In the face of that little man.
We took up a collection for him before his mama got home
And each driver said goodbye and then they all were gone
He shook my hand with a mile-long grin and said
"So long, trucker, I'll catch ya again."

Well I hit the Interstate with tears in my eyes
I turned on the radio and I got another surprise
"Breaker 1-9," came a voice on the air
"Just one word of thanks from Mama Teddy Bear.
We wish each and every one a special prayer for you
Cause You just made my little boy's dream come true
I'll sign off now before I start to cry
May God ride with ya, 10-4, and goodbye."

[RebelOne]

4. That really made me tear up. n/t

[ogneopasno]

5. I heard it on the radio during a call-in honky-tonk show once a couple years ago...

and I almost had to pull over, even as I was laughing at how terribly cheesy and dated it was ("cripped"? Geez!), because it made me all weepy.

ETA: Tissue warning, here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JY4BV14OZzQ

[Bake]

8. Oh no! Not "Teddy Bear!!!!!"

That one just kills me every time.

Bake

[ogneopasno]

11. Didja know there's a sequel?

Again with the tissues:

Some time ago I was sippin’ on some coffee and havin’ some ham and biscuits when a motion caught my eye through the truck stop window. It was a little lost puppy; half-starved and shakin’ from fear. Well, I just had to make friends with him so I picked him up and put him in the cab. And, buddy, he took to that truck like he was born there. Well, I named him Little Joe and as I watched him sleep on the seat beside me that’s when I knew that Little Joe would be with me for a long, long time.

Well, a few months later I was talking to my old friend Teddy Bear on the old CB and not paying much attention to my back door. Little Joe started barking up a storm. I looked up and saw a Smokey in the mirror and I slowed my rig down just in time. But, you know something, Teddy Bear heard Little Joe barking and he said, “Hey Big Red, let me talk to your partner!” And I said, “You’ve got it, good buddy.”

“How’s the old Smokey situation, Little Joe?” And Little Joe said, “Rough (Ruff).” Aw, that just tore him up and the next two hundred miles just flew by ‘cause everybody on that CB wanted to talk to Little Joe.

Well, one night we were headed through the Smokies in East Tennessee and Little Joe started acting real (sic) nervous. I heard the sounds of lightning (sic) on the old CB and suddenly we were in the worst storm that I’d ever seen. All at once I saw headlights coming straight at my rig! Someone was blinded in the rain! So I swerved fast and just barely missed a camper full of kids. But the shoulder gave way and we crashed over the side of the mountain. And when I woke up my truck was on fire and I couldn’t move. But, somehow, Little Joe grabbed me by the collar and pulled me away from that burning rig.

Well, I was in the hospital the next time I woke up and the doctor was there to break the bad news. The accident had taken my sight. Oh, God, now I can’t even drive! And that’s when I realized how helpless Teddy Bear must have felt before the miracle happened that made him walk again. And then I thought, we-we-we-where’s Little Joe? No-ain’t nobody said anything about Little—Where’s Li—Oh, I was so sad. ‘cause I figured Little Joe had given his life to save me.

Well, my brother asked me to come live with him and when he opened the door to my new room I heard an old CB just a-blarin’ away. Well, I couldn’t wait to grab that mic and the first voice I heard was my old buddy Teddy Bear, ratchet jawin’ in the distance. So I broke for him, and he came right back to me. Why, it was almost like old times again. Teddy Bear was a-yackin’ away, unloading all the latest new on me and getting louder and louder. But all of a sudden the sound of an engine seemed to drown Teddy Bear out. And I said, “Hey, what’s going on?” Teddy Bear said, “Open your front door, good buddy, I’m just outside.” Lord, the roar of engines seemed to rock the house. And, all around me I could hear familiar voices and slammin’ doors. Aw, I couldn’t hold back the tears. All my friends were there.

And then I heard something I couldn’t believe. Little Joe? That bark? Why it had to be Little Joe. And no sooner than that he was all over me. And I put my arms around my old partner and the tears were streaming down my face. And then I felt something strange. Little Joe hadn’t worn a collar before. And attached to the collar was a handle. A hush fell over my friends. And I realize, Lord, my new eyes were standing at my feet… Little Joe.

[Bake]

12. Yeah, but that one's not as good as the original.

A real tear-jerker.

Bake

[ogneopasno]

13. Sequels never are.

I'm just glad a miracle found Teddy Bear and he could drive his daddy's truck.

[Swede]

15. I remember that!

nt

[Swede]

6. This really got to me.

Very touching story.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. bkmarking for later...

thanks for posting the story.

[fizzgig]

9. a blessing to that family and all those who helped them

rest well, jake

[skygazer]

10. Oh, hell

:cry:

I found out yesterday that a friend from work's 2 year old has been diagnosed with leukemia. Her husband lost his job and they are losing their house. I'm glad this little boy got his tractor parade - it's always so good to see when people pull together to help each other - but it just kills me to read about sick children. I just cannot imagine.

:cry:

[sarge43]

14. Blessed be for the family and the community.

Rest in peace, Jake.