reading this while "working" in a coffee shop in Arizona, trying not to start bawling like Defoe. And not succeeding.
Amazing how much a lad I've never met from a country I've never been to has touched my life. Love thee little scamp. Whenever I've had a rough day (and a lot of 'em since that match in September) I draw a little strength from seeing his huge grin while running around the pitch in his Sunderland kit, drinking daquiris, getting dapper for awards shows or whatever shenanigans he's been up to.
Brave lad, if he can endure the pain, go through his battles and still run amok like any other rambunctious 5/6 year old, I can deal with whatever new hell gets thrown at me and react accordingly.
If things continue, I hope his family and those close to him can draw some solace from how much he has meant and impacted the lives of others.
And I really hope Everton and Sunderland work out some arrangement for a pre-season annual friendly for the Bradley Lowery Cup or whatever, with all proceeds going to some fund in his honor to battle this horrible disease so the next story of a child facing a similar battle has a happier ending.