When I was still teaching 6th grade I had a student in my class named Zach. He is everyone's friend. He is the kind of kid who will (and did) volunteer to sit next to the kid in class that no one else wants to. He is a fine. young. man. In the Spring of his 6th grade year Zach was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma which had metastasized in his knee. He had surgery and chemo and was out the rest of the school year. The kids rallied together sending cards and notes. They organized a fundraiser and sold special "Zach" school shirts. Everyone was there for Zach the way Zach has always been there for everyone. He kept up on his work so he could eventually go back to school with good news of being cancer-free. And he was. Through it all Zach has continued to maintain a positive outlook and he knows God is on his side. During a visit to school he joked about the possibility that he may lose his leg and said if he did he would be able to dress as a pirate for Halloween and "I'd make the best darn pirate ever". With all he had been through and the warrior he had proven himself to be, if Charlotte had been a boy she would have been named Zach. He got the news that he was in fact cancer free and returned to school.
At 8th grade graduation there were many tears of joy (myself included) as Zach Johns walked the stage.
He is in 9th grade at Capital and just got concerning news that he has a nodule on his lung and will need surgery soon. Apparently if this cancer comes back, this is where it goes. I am partnering in prayer for Zach and his family. I am praying for our little cake maker Nicky who used to be just Zach's friend and has become his girlfriend and has been by his side since the beginning.
This was Open House in spring 2012...a visit from him was the highlight of my night.
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