On Behalf Of Our Family

Since summer last year you have seen me post things here and there about my sweet cousin Whitley that has been battling cancer. On behalf of all of my family and her husbands I would like to say thank you.

Facebook- Team Whitley

I really don't even know where to begin. If you have been following along on social media you know young Whitley lost her battle with cancer on May 2nd, last Thursday. It's been a hard trip for our family and there aren't enough ways or words I can express our thanks for all the thoughts, prayers and kind words throughout her battle. People who did not even know Whitley, myself or our family poured out the great gestures and reached out with overwhelming amounts of support. We thank each and every one of you. I grew up with Whitley in Arkansas and it's been tough watching such a sweet and innocent young lady go through something so hard. There was a term coined during her battle, Whitley Up. I never once saw her cry, she never complained to me and always kept her chin up. In my opinion she is the model of how we all should be. She touched many lives and will continue to do so. I know she is watching over us and Lord knows I need someone as strong as her watching over me. Thousands of people sent their support and while I will probably never meet many of them it means so much. Personally I would like to thank all my friends, people of the Concho Valley, musicians and promoters, organizations, people who made a video and TownSquare Media. I would also like to take a moment to say thank you to Ashley Drake and Chris Brazeal. Ashley is the wife of Adam Drake, a friend and fellow jock in College Station. Ashley took time out of her day to write a beautiful poem for Whitley that was used in her memorial. Ashley never had the chance to meet Whitley but I bet they would have hit it off pretty well. Chris Brazeal wrote a song for Whitley and sent it to me this week. Much like Ashley, Chris had never met Whitley but had heard her story online and through me. She loved to sing and she would have loved the song Chris. The kindness and generosity from everybody is what has comforted us throughout the journey and we will never forget that. Once again, thank you very much.

'God sent an angel one December day,

To grow up and love and laugh and play.

From those adorable coos and toes that wiggle,

To pigtails and jewelry and a precious giggle.

Before we knew it she was all grown up,

And walking down the aisle to her groom in a tux.

Then one day tragedy struck,

But she never let herself feel down on her luck

Despite the repeated unwelcomed news,

She lived her life to the fullest, as the cancer grew.

Every day she bravely fought,

Through the pain and despair the sickness brought.