As we move through our lives, it’s easy to get caught up on our own little “Bubble.” Over the last year, mine has been popped more times than I can count. My wife and I have given up on living day to day and started living hour to hour.

Every time I start to feel sorry for myself I look around at all of the good, I see and realize that things could always be worse. I am not saying that at times it’s not hard that I have not ever felt the world was against me. But each time I make the choice to only see the good, to remain positive and drive on.

As most of you know in April, our baby girl was diagnosed with bone cancer. As parents, you can understand how we felt. My years in the military taught me to find and eliminate the threat, reassess combat effectiveness and continue on with the mission, but no part of Military training can prepare you for this. The feelings of helplessness, the just offering comfort.

Again I am slapped in the face with a Brightside that no one could ignore. People from across the globe have come together to help our little girl in her fight. She has received cards from Switzerland to Australia. As a father I cannot even begin to explain my gratitude to these people for what they have don’t to even temporarily help to pull our baby girl out of her hospital room and show her that people who she may never meet are looking out for her and wishing her well. The smiles alone are priceless!

Growing up in Rimersburg, I understand that it’s “Small Town America”. What I could never have predicted was the amount of support from a town I have not been a part of since 1994 would show for a little girl many of whom have never laid eyes on. The majority of the world, country or even the state for that matter couldn’t pick the town or the county out on a map if they had multiple tries, has shown so much support that you would think that we had never left and still lived there to this day.

I am amazed daily at the generosity, and good in people that most will never see. I would like to offer our DEEPEST THANK YOU! To all of you for everything you have done and your kind words. We will never be able to express our gratitude, but our eyes are forever opened to the good in the world no matter what you see on the news. The hearts of the people of this country are beating for the underdog; they are willing to go above and beyond for their neighbor. Go to a local cemetery on Memorial Day and look at the number of flags flying on the graves. It is not something new; it is something that communities like this have been doing for years. I can say beyond any doubt that I have never been more proud to say that I am from Small town USA.

My family will never be able to repay the words and gifts we have received, It could never happen. But I can say that our eyes have been reopened to the good in the world, and we will continue to work to show others that they are not alone, that someone cares. I have no doubt that our Baby girl will grow up to do great things, and continue to inspire others. She proves on a daily basis that she was born with the heart of a Warrior and will to never let anything get in her way. Our only hope is that we can help to change the world the way your generosity has helped to change ours.

Jeremy Risher

Editor’s Note:

Kards for Kacey can be sent to:
7055 Blanding Blvd.
P.O. Box 440218
Jacksonville, Florida 32222

A gofundme.com account has also been created for Kacey to raise money to help with her medical expenses. To donate visit Kickin It for Kacey.