Friends show their love for Caroline Higgins with an Easter Parade
 

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[April 13, 2020]   Unusual times call for unusual solutions. On Saturday of this weekend, a large group of folks came together to create an unusual solution for wanting to be with a good friend who is suffering a devastating illness.

Caroline Higgins was diagnosed in September with glioblastoma – an incurable cancer that occupies the brain. She is at home with her husband Mike. Because she is considered even more at risk of coronavirus due to her cancer, Caroline and Mike are even more isolated than most.

Close friends to the Higgins’, Chuck and Penny Fricke and Ron and Deb Ackerman wanted to do something special to show Caroline and Mike that they are in the hearts and prayers of many, many people. The four decided that they would organize a drive-by parade to Mike and Caroline’s home.

The group had planned ahead and advised the Lincoln Police Department what they were going to be doing. They issued a set of rules to follow to assure safety while driving and also encouraged social distancing for everyone sake.

On Saturday afternoon, more than 100 vehicles filled the parking lot at Logan Lanes in preparation for the parade. Gifts, cards, flowers and balloons were collected into one vehicle in the parking lot.

Father Jeffery Liable of Holy Family Church came to the parking lot and blessed each vehicle with Holy Water. The parade then began their drive to the Higgins home just off Fifth Street.

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Cars waved signs, some delivered their gifts and cards to a location a few feet away from the couple who watched from their driveway and waved and greeted the parade vehicles. Some of the vehicles played gospel music, and at least one played the song “Sweet Caroline.”

Father Liable made a special stop and blessed the Higgins along with their beloved dog Pearl.

In the rules for the parade issued by the Fricke’s and Ackerman’s the last paragraph defined the day:

“We seek to bring encouragement in the context of faith – to her, her family, and even ourselves. May we be guided by the Apostle Paul: ‘For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is, that you may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.’ (Romans 1:11-12)”

Caroline was clearly thrilled with the event as was Mike. After the parade was over and the gifts were taken inside so the couple could have time to appreciate the blessing that had been brought their way by so many friends, Mike sent out a thank you message from himself and Caroline via text.

“Thanks do not begin to cover the feelings Caroline and I had this afternoon as this parade of blessings passed in front of us! Sometimes when you feel like you're at the end of a long dark road, a light suddenly appears to carry you on your way. This afternoon we found that light, thanks to all of you, and many others too numerous to count!

“Please pass these thoughts along to all, and know we wish you all a blessed Easter, and look forward to seeing you all soon! - Caroline and Mike”

What a community we live in! What a great gift we give, when we give from the heart.

[Nila Smith/Karen Hargis]

 

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