This #SportsJerseySaturday I’ve got my newest jersey. Maybe you post yours, or maybe you come along for the story on how this came to me.

Last year, when my wife and I shared our story of losing our quads pre-term, we got so much support from so many of you. Through messages of love and compassion, the @wnypbn received somewhere around 20k in donations.

But beyond the messages of support, came personal stories of loss. The number of people that opened up to me/us about similar tragedy and grief, was eye-opening. Messages exchanged back and forth, as I made a point to write back to every one that I saw, some even months later.

One listener, we’ll call him Earl, from Canada, wrote to me. Earl told me his family’s story, and shared the trials and tribulations of loss and continuing to push forward and grow your family. We would talk on social media for the following year, here and there.

So sometime around April he tells me that he’s sending something to me at the radio station. A gift. Problem is, by that point I’m working from home during the pandemic. After a few more weeks I finally go in to see if there’s anything at the office for me. There is.

I open this Mike Ramsay Team USA jersey... and reach out to Earl to thank him, and ask what the inspiration behind it is. Earl explains its Team USA, it’s a Buffalo tie-in, and it’s because we’re still waiting on that “miracle”.

I assure you, that he’s assured me, it’s all going to happen . He and his family are one of countless families that have been through the dark times, and come out on the other side.

So someday, when we can go to Canada again, and this pandemic is over and we can hug strangers... I’ll be headed up to buy some beers and play golf with Earl. The honor and experience of connecting with listeners through social media or radio is incredible. Community helps.

It’s a lesson that you can do an awful lot for people you don’t personally know. We have four remembrance birthdays this week. Zoe and Lincoln already... Miles tomorrow, and Breck on Monday. This time of year will always mean this for us.

And October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. There are more people than you know that have been through losing a child, and an organization @wnypbn that does wonderful and important things to help through that time.

So if you need some warmth for the chill the next few months... how about a hoodie? Earl snagged one! Be like Earl! http://Bonfire.com/falliselite  or http://bonfire.com/elite  season

You can donate directly to http://wnypbn.org . The annual rememberance walk is coming up October 11th, and this community will be coming together again.

Thank you for your support, however you can help. Happy #SportsJerseySaturday. Post a jersey, buy a hoodie!