Lane helps us remember what is important

Social media and the use of the Internet have completely changed how we keep up with friends, family and now, complete strangers.

I'll be the first to admit, I'm a huge sap -- especially when it comes to kids. I was browsing my Facebook newsfeed the other day and saw one of my Evansville friends had "liked" a photo of Johnny Depp giving a thumbs up.

It was posted on a Facebook page called "Prayers for Lane Goodwin." I was curious because Depp is one of my favorite actors, so I went to the page and was intrigued by Lane's story.

The 13-year-old Kentucky boy is suffering from Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma stage IV, and the whole family was praying for a miracle as they await what could be his last moments.

Some of the posts by Lane's mother made me smile, others made me actually cry for this boy I have never met before.

Now, more than 230,000 people are celebrating on Lane's good days when he is able to eat and spend time with his family. These same people are sending up prayers on the days Lane has hallucinations or talks about going home to Jesus.

The Facebook page has sparked a campaign called "Thumbs up for Lane." Which keeps me checking back to the page every day to see who else is rooting for Lane.

Photos from mega stars from around the nation have been sending thumbs up to Lane, from country star Brantley Gilbert to minister Joyce Meyer.

The photo that brought a tear to my eyes was farm equipment and vehicles parked in the shape of Lane's name, with the group of guys giving him a thumbs up in the corner.

Large groups of people from all over Indiana and Kentucky, to even the Evansville Zoo, have sent thumbs up to Lane via Facebook and Twitter.

In a moment where I was struggling with my faith in humanity, this teenage boy reminded me it's the little things in life that make our life worth living.

We take too much for granted while this young man is fighting for his life, and still finding opportunities to smile and inspire complete strangers.

My heart breaks for his family, but they should know the good their son is doing through their social media campaign.

Not only are they raising awareness about childhood cancer, but they are reminding total strangers just how precious our lives are.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com or by telephone at 847-4487. Follow me on Twitter @GCDWWestfall .