A Different Night

(To learn more about Carson Hand, read my Friday column at www.ledger-enquirer.com)

Two years ago, Carson Hand was on the stage of the RiverCenter with the Northside High School Orchestra for the Ledger-Enquirer's Page One Awards. He was in pain, sometimes doubled over between songs. By the next day, he was hospitalized. The diagnosis eventually was a cancerous tumor.

For a prolonged period, he underwent treatment. His floppy hair fell out so Phil, his Dad, shaved his head too. I did an article on Carson and came away uplifted rather than sad. He was that kind of young man. Since then, he has been a busy fellow, even speaking to the school board asking grownups to build Northside an auditorium they deserved.

Wednesday, Carson Hand was again on the stage of the RiverCenter. It was time for the 2007 Page One Awards. This time, he stood tall as a nominee in the category of Citizenship. He had a nice head of hair. There was no pain, just smiles.

Carson Hand didn't take home an award, but seeing him there rewarded the rest of us.