the stuff that really matters

About a week ago, 10 month old Tatum Fisher was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, an extremely rare form of cancer described as a tumor between the eyeball and the brain. The rare disorder is usually fatal because it is so difficult to diagnose...

Last Wednesday morning, Tatum underwent treatment to remove the tumor while her mom and dad stood by anxiously; they prayed and cried and did all the other things that you do in the hospital waiting room.

Parents from every culture and every corner of the globe understand what it means to watch your child hurt. From their first skinned knee to stitches to broken bones to black eyes, there is no pain quite like your own child's. When that pain is the result of a serious illness, time simply stands still; the air gets heavier and food loses its taste as the stress presses down.

When you are dealing with your own sick child, nothing elses matters. You don't think about the mortgage or your appointments or the car repairs or this Friday's party. You are laser focused on one thing - your child.

With that as a backdrop, consider that Tatum Fisher is the daugther of Mr and Mrs Derek Fisher. Derek is the starting point guard for the Utah Jazz basketball team; the Jazz were in the middle of a playoff run when Tatum's mom and dad learned just how sick their not-yet-one-year-old baby was...

As a matter of fact, Utah was set to play a very important game Wednesday night against Golden State...

But Derek Fisher told his coach he would miss that game (and maybe the rest of the series) so he could be with his wife and daughter during the procedure, which was performed at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

The procedure went well and the prognosis is good.

Derek Fisher and his family then boarded the team plane and flew from New York City to Salt Lake City to join his team. He got to the arena just after halftime, and went straight to the scorer's table and checked himself into the game.

Without stretching or warming up, Fisher checked in with 3 minutes gone in the third quarter and played his smothering brand of defense to shut down the Warriors' offense as his team rallied and eventually sent the game into overtime. During the extra period, Utah continued to lead until Golden State began to close the gap... with only a minute left, Derek Fisher coolly buried a pivotal 3-pointer to give his Jazz a 6 point lead. They eventually won by 10.

Eighteen years ago, our first daughter was born very sick. She spent her first 6 days fighting for her life under a vent-a-hood; Kelly and I were completely absorbed with her. We prayed and cried and watched and hoped... and God took care of her and she recovered perfectly. When it became clear that she would be OK, I remember that my feelings of relief and gratitude were surpassed only by an indescribable exhaustion. Kelly and I both crashed very hard... it took a couple weeks for us to recover from the unbelievable stress. Eventually, life returned to normal and I returned to my job... but it took a while to be able to focus on my work...

I say this only to contrast what Derek Fisher did: he left the hospital, flew half way across the country, suited up, checked in and went to work.... but his job requires him to perform at a very very high level! The fact that he was able to do that makes me know that God was with him.

The way Derek Fisher handled all this is no surprise to those who know him. He considers himself a Husband and Father first, and a basketball player second.

While most of us don't play professional sports to earn our living, it is easy to let our 'profession' define us... Mr Fisher's actions last Wednesday serve as an important reminder to remember what it is that should define us. We are all called to be dads and husbands first, then (fill in your profession here) second.

Last Wednseday, Derek Fisher reminded all us dads what it is that really matters.