A personal note from me to the OTF community…

[Blake Munroe]

It’s been one year since I’ve tweeted this out:

One year to the day, actually.

Over the past few days I’ve re-read every response to this tweet. Ive gone back to the OnTexasFootball message boards and read every response on a thread where a poster asked for prayers for my son.

I’ve thought about a lot, including what I would write when this day finally came.

I thought about writing about the journey that was filled with twists and turns at damn near every stop.

How we went back into the hospital twice since then.

I’ve thought about writing about that night that was filled with so much uncertainty. Where doctors and nurses filled his ICU room, where he was losing blood at an alarming rate. When the Chaplain came at 2 AM and bent the truth, telling my wife he was “just making the rounds” while I sat beside Colt, watching my son look like he never has before, a white pale face and a lifeless body… All while they try to pump 11 units of blood in him to save his life. And how the smell of blood permeated the air to the point it made me nauseous. An unfortunate scene that replays in my mind at least weekly and makes me shudder every time it does so.

I’ve thought about this more over the last few days than I have the last few months, if I’m being honest.

From that thinking, I’ve come away with two conclusions.

First, despite all the hardships and changes, my son is a fighter. Losing 30 pounds, having no appetite, losing all the strength that he has worked so hard to build up, being poked and prodded, having to walk when he didn’t have energy to stand, along with thousands of other things… He persevered. He fought through it all and stands here today, bigger, stronger, faster, and most importantly, healthy.  From initially being told he might not get to play sports again to just months later playing baseball, running track, and even getting back on the football field, Colt is the true definition of perseverance. It hasn’t been easy, nor was it quick, but he worked his butt off to get back to where he is today. The lessons he learned along the way over the past year will help him all throughout life, not just on the field. He’ll always know that he has the strength and mindset to overcome anything.

Secondly, the other conclusion I’ve come away with, is the simple fact that we were surrounded by a great community and had phenomenal support. Not only people from our hometown offering to help in any way possible, but people from all over as well. Whether that be an SEC rival’s football coach (who shall go unnamed) reaching out, to a certain player on Colt‘s favorite football team who is now like a brother to him,  to one of the nation’s best baseball coaches asking if there was anything they can do to help. 

It didn’t stop there, however, as hundreds and hundreds of messages poured in, people asking to send gifts, food, prayers… whatever it may be. I would be here all day listing them and I can’t thank each and every one of them enough.

People in Comanche also went above and beyond. There are numerous I want to name personally, but I won’t. They weren’t doing it for recognition, but instead were doing it for all the right reasons.

To all of those people, I can’t thank you enough.  Your support, through a multitude of avenues, lifted us up when we needed it the most.

I want to extended a special thank you to the OTF community as well. Yall still check on him to this day and that means a lot. From the super chats, to your posts… those who asked Bobby to get ahold of me for many different reasons… all of it. Words can’t express how much it means to not only myself, but my wife and kids as well.

As for Colt, he’s come a long way. He still has quarterly visits to specialists. He still has to watch what he does. He still has to take precautions.

But he’s alive and healthy and doing well.

And that’s what matters.

[MarkInAustin]

But he’s alive and healthy and doing well.

And that’s what matters.

Amen.

[Shane]

Glad he’s doing so well Blake ! 

[Dylan Nguyen]

God bless you and your family Blake. Always in our prayers.

[Longmire]

Blake,

May God continue to bless Colt and your family; and may you always appreciate his gifts and those of the people who surround you.

[DanielOnorato]

You picked a great name for a tough young warrior. Prayers up for you, Colt and your entire family. Thank you for keeping us up to date with his progress, y'all truly feel like family here. 

God is great 🙏🏼

[KdDylan]

God bless you and your family, @Blake Munroe! Last year my wife almost died (suffered from something called an AFE) during the C Section of our triplets girls and OTF was able to help keep me distracted during some dark times. So grateful to hear that Colt is doing better.

[taxsaver]

Awesome.  I love to hear stories like this.

 

God bless you all.

 

[4thandFive]

I’m here if a need arises- spiritual, physical, emotional, anything.  Thank God Colt is better. 

Edited 1 hour ago by 4thandFive

[Alex Butler]

58 minutes ago, MarkInAustin said:

But he’s alive and healthy and doing well.

And that’s what matters.

Amen.

Amen to your amen! Thank you for the update @Blake Munroe so grateful and thankful to hear Colt and your family are doing well despite all the horrible challenges you all faced! Much love!!

[Josh Marion]

Blake, God bless you and your family, brother. Reading this and seeing how far Colt has come is nothing short of incredible. Your strength, faith, and perspective through it all are truly inspiring. We’re all still praying for continued health and blessings for Colt and for peace and strength for your whole family. 

[UTexas]

Great post @Blake Munroe. Continued prayers for you and your family as well as Colts health.

Edited 1 hour ago by UTexas

[Jordan91]

You have one hell of a son sir. 

[Adam Lane]

Blake,

One year....goodness!  What a difference a year can make in folks lives.  So happy for you and your family.  Colt is a fighter for sure.  Take care of your family!  

 

All the best,

Adam

[jkates]

That is incredible. Thankful to hear how God carried your family through such a dark time and brought healing to Colt. Grateful for answered prayers and for the strength, faith, and perseverance He gave all of you through it.

[SueVide]

2 hours ago, Blake Munroe said:

It’s been one year since I’ve tweeted this out:

One year to the day, actually.

Over the past few days I’ve re-read every response to this tweet. Ive gone back to the OnTexasFootball message boards and read every response on a thread where a poster asked for prayers for my son.

I’ve thought about a lot, including what I would write when this day finally came.

I thought about writing about the journey that was filled with twists and turns at damn near every stop.

How we went back into the hospital twice since then.

I’ve thought about writing about that night that was filled with so much uncertainty. Where doctors and nurses filled his ICU room, where he was losing blood at an alarming rate. When the Chaplain came at 2 AM and bent the truth, telling my wife he was “just making the rounds” while I sat beside Colt, watching my son look like he never has before, a white pale face and a lifeless body… All while they try to pump 11 units of blood in him to save his life. And how the smell of blood permeated the air to the point it made me nauseous. An unfortunate scene that replays in my mind at least weekly and makes me shudder every time it does so.

I’ve thought about this more over the last few days than I have the last few months, if I’m being honest.

From that thinking, I’ve come away with two conclusions.

First, despite all the hardships and changes, my son is a fighter. Losing 30 pounds, having no appetite, losing all the strength that he has worked so hard to build up, being poked and prodded, having to walk when he didn’t have energy to stand, along with thousands of other things… He persevered. He fought through it all and stands here today, bigger, stronger, faster, and most importantly, healthy.  From initially being told he might not get to play sports again to just months later playing baseball, running track, and even getting back on the football field, Colt is the true definition of perseverance. It hasn’t been easy, nor was it quick, but he worked his butt off to get back to where he is today. The lessons he learned along the way over the past year will help him all throughout life, not just on the field. He’ll always know that he has the strength and mindset to overcome anything.

Secondly, the other conclusion I’ve come away with, is the simple fact that we were surrounded by a great community and had phenomenal support. Not only people from our hometown offering to help in any way possible, but people from all over as well. Whether that be an SEC rival’s football coach (who shall go unnamed) reaching out, to a certain player on Colt‘s favorite football team who is now like a brother to him,  to one of the nation’s best baseball coaches asking if there was anything they can do to help. 

It didn’t stop there, however, as hundreds and hundreds of messages poured in, people asking to send gifts, food, prayers… whatever it may be. I would be here all day listing them and I can’t thank each and every one of them enough.

People in Comanche also went above and beyond. There are numerous I want to name personally, but I won’t. They weren’t doing it for recognition, but instead were doing it for all the right reasons.

To all of those people, I can’t thank you enough.  Your support, through a multitude of avenues, lifted us up when we needed it the most.

I want to extended a special thank you to the OTF community as well. Yall still check on him to this day and that means a lot. From the super chats, to your posts… those who asked Bobby to get ahold of me for many different reasons… all of it. Words can’t express how much it means to not only myself, but my wife and kids as well.

As for Colt, he’s come a long way. He still has quarterly visits to specialists. He still has to watch what he does. He still has to take precautions.

But he’s alive and healthy and doing well.

And that’s what matters.

Thank you for sharing. I love this tribe. 

[BCS Longhorn]

God Bless, prayers work.

Your son is a living example of the power of prayer, as am I from my own near-death experience during COVID.