Clark was a cool kid. He had a bald head, brown eyes, and a nice smile. Clark was not his real name. But they said he liked Superman. So “Clark Kent” it is.
Before Clark lost his hair, he had a head of blue-black, just like the superhero.
When his parents found out he was sick, it nearly knocked the life out of them. But they say Clark didn’t get bothered by it. Nobody knows why. Maybe he was too young to be afraid.
Maybe he was made of steel.
Anyway, I don’t know much about pediatric oncology, but his diagnosis was bad. His mother called it a “death sentence.” His doctors were not hopeful.
But that’s not the story here.
One afternoon, on their way home from a medical appointment Clark saw a man walking the shoulder of the highway. He was near an overpass.
The man was dark-skinned, with white hair, holding the waist of his blue jeans to keep them from falling.
“Stop Mom!” said Clark.
His mother stopped the car. Clark rolled the window down and asked the man why he was holding his pants like that.
“Lost my belt,” the man said. “And these pants are too big.”
Then, the man asked Clark’s mother for money. That’s where she drew the line. She refused to give cash to a stranger. She rolled up the windows and drove.
“We can’t just leave him,” said Clark. “He needs our help.”
Clark begged his mother to give money. Her only response was “no.”
Her son finally convinced her to stop at Walmart. They bought a belt, some sweatpants, and a few T-shirts. Then, they bought a sandwich from Subway.
They found the man beneath the overpass again. Clark gave him a plastic bag full of goodies. The man was overcome.
So days turned into months. Clark was weak from treatment. He spent entire weeks in bed. He sat on the floor near the toilet a lot.
He didn’t feel like playing games on his phone. He didn’t feel like eating food. His skin got so pale it was almost translucent. He couldn’t do anything that involved much walking.
But Clark managed to do other things.
For example: he placed a large cardboard box at the entryway of his school last Christmas.
Clark sent an email asking his friends to donate toys to foster kids. I understand the school filled four boxes that Christmas.
In Clark’s spare time, he also colored pictures for patients in the oncology ward.
He would meet people, get to know them, then he’d draw special pictures. Pictures with inspiring phrases on the bottoms.
Phrases like: “You got this!” And: “You are going to win!” And: “You are stronger than you even know!”
Once, Clark was visiting with a woman who was receiving treatment in the recliner next to his. When Clark’s mother returned from a bathroom break, Clark was holding the woman’s hand. The older woman was crying.
Anyway, last year Clark fell asleep. His life was eleven years long, but it was over a hundred years wide.
It’s because of him that local foster kids had a few extra Christmas toys. It’s because of him that a handful oncology patients have colored pictures on their refrigerators. It’s because of him that you are reading this.
Clark’s mother was in traffic the other day. She saw a familiar man with dark skin and white hair. He was wearing sweatpants.
She went to the nearest bank ATM and withdrew three hundred dollars. She gave it to the man. Three hundred was all the machine would let her get. Otherwise, she would’ve given him more. In fact, she does this sort of thing a lot now.
Because Clark would’ve wanted it that way. Only, he’s not Clark anymore.
He’s Superman.
40 comments
Steven P Bailey - April 18, 2019 9:41 am
Beautiful.
Cathi - April 18, 2019 10:02 am
Doing the ugly cry at 4:15am…
Ellen C - April 18, 2019 1:50 pm
So am I !!!!
Timothy McMeans - April 18, 2019 10:12 am
Beautiful and inspiring story. God bless!
Elizabeth - April 18, 2019 10:18 am
Doing the ugly cry at 5:15 a.m.
Jean - April 18, 2019 10:37 am
What a sweet child…flying with the angels now and i am crying.
Jo Ann - April 18, 2019 10:47 am
There is so much love in the world that we never hear about until you tell us, Sean. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart. ( my eyes are leaking!!)
Joe Patterson - April 18, 2019 11:27 am
Thanks again special
Karen Erwin-Brown - April 18, 2019 11:36 am
Very moving on this Maundy Thursday morning.
Richard C. - April 18, 2019 11:37 am
No Krytonite here. You brightened my day. Hard to type through tears.
Gloria Knight - April 18, 2019 12:05 pm
” And a little child shall lead them.” It’s amazing what the heart of a child sees sometimes when adults don’t.
Phillip Saunders. - April 18, 2019 12:12 pm
What an inspiring story of courage and love. Read Matthew 18:2-4. The world needs more Clarks. They don’t have to be sick. A pastor friend of mine is very ill and undergoing treatment. If you read this, please add him to your prayer lists. Cancer is horrible, and it’s everywhere. I urge everyone to donate to treatment and research centers like M.D. Anderson and especially to those that treat children, like St. Jude in Memphis. God is on this, but He works through people – physicians, scientists, and us.
Pam Simpson - April 18, 2019 12:37 pm
Oh Sean, got me in the feels this morning. Children have the biggest hearts. Thank you
Sue Cronkite - April 18, 2019 12:39 pm
What a wonderful legacy. May it go on and on.
Connie - April 18, 2019 12:45 pm
Great eulogy…..Super Man!
Beki Denison - April 18, 2019 12:54 pm
That’s it, I’m toast for the day as I sit here and ugly cry over my keyboard. May we all remember this boy and honor him by showing a little superman love and care to someone today.
Lisa Perkins - April 18, 2019 12:56 pm
What an awesome little Superman ❤️ ? Not much makes me cry Sean, but this did ?
Connie Havard Ryland - April 18, 2019 1:05 pm
Wow. I can’t talk about this. I’m just going to say cancer sucks. Love and hugs.
Lana Jones Barbaree - April 18, 2019 1:05 pm
He is truly a hero.
Luis - April 18, 2019 1:16 pm
“His life was eleven years long, but it was over a hundred years wide.” What a perfect way to put it!
Johnnie B - April 18, 2019 1:28 pm
Everyone has a purpose. And everyone’s lifespan is know to the Lord. He gave Superman his super powers just when he could do the most good. It’s far beyond our understanding but so thankful for his life.
Johnny Parker - April 18, 2019 1:37 pm
As a cancer survivor myself, I was greatly moved by your story about this precious child. I don’t think it is an accident, that you told this story on the day we commemorate Jesus’ death on the cross. His selfless sacrifice for our redemption. Clark’s life is more than a hundred years wide. It is eternal.
Mary - April 18, 2019 1:45 pm
Your words are healing. Thank you.
Tim House - April 18, 2019 2:36 pm
Made me cry…
Bill - April 18, 2019 2:38 pm
O.K., Sean. I do not believe ANYONE can read this and not “tear up”, or as the ladies prefer “ugly cry”. Very touching. Most of us have dealt with cancer ourselves, or with a close loved one, or both. Not hard to feel this story. Thanks for reminding us of the inherent goodness of our kids, and may God help us to never suppress it in our rush of daily living.
Janie F. - April 18, 2019 3:28 pm
Bless that child’s heart!
Linda Moon - April 18, 2019 3:34 pm
Childhood Cancer…the worst kind.
Carol Heidbreder - April 18, 2019 4:00 pm
I dont know where do start!! This brought tears and the big lump in the throat. Such a grand reminder that it is quality not necessarily quantity of life. Look at the ripples of goodness from this dear sick little boy. Kindness through great suffering. If this small boy can do this, surely the rest of us can! I agree with Phillip regarding such great cancer hospital. MD Anderson is a Holy place. It holds a special and personal place in my heart. St. Jude’s the same. These places handle those that pass through their doors with such gentle care…ALL that pass their way because these diseases are a family affair . Thank you Sean once again for showing us the beauty of Gods children.
Shelton A. - April 18, 2019 5:06 pm
Clark is at home with the Lord now…but his life reflects goodness and mercy on us all.
charliestsimons - April 18, 2019 5:18 pm
Be like Clark!
prespreacher - April 18, 2019 5:26 pm
You are the Amazing Story-Man and this one is superb.
Cheryl - April 18, 2019 6:37 pm
His life was eleven years long but a hundred miles wide…my goodness, my goodness. Superman indeed.
Sue - April 18, 2019 7:18 pm
Thank you for this reminder to be giving, thoughtful and caring. What a huge Superman heart he had.
Bill - April 18, 2019 7:54 pm
What a wonderful story of kindness Sean. Thank you.
Estelle Sexton Davis - April 18, 2019 9:04 pm
A little a little child shall lead them. It’s up to us to follow.
If you think you have troubles walk down the pediatric cancer wing of a hospital.
Treatment at St Jude is free of charge. Pray for them and their patients.
Jack Darnell - April 18, 2019 9:42 pm
Okay dude, This one is out of the park!!! I love it, THANKS.
Sherry & jack
Charaleen Wright - April 19, 2019 4:38 am
❤
Debbie Barton - April 19, 2019 5:49 am
I wish I was a good as this child.
Debbie Britt - April 19, 2019 12:50 pm
He as more than Superman…. he had a Superheart!
Betty - April 20, 2019 1:13 am
So touched by this beautiful story…this young man is surely at the feet of our Jesus, who is giving His Blessing, “well done, MY Child”.