A mother learns how to ‘fly a little higher’

"How does a dying kid from Lakeland, Minnesota, in a hopeless situation, bring hope to so many people?"

That was the question Laura Sobiech tried to answer during a presentation at St. Patrick Church of Cedar Lake Wednesday, April 27. More than 200 people turned out to the small country church to hear the mother of Zach Sobiech talk about her sons’ experience as he lived with, and eventually died from cancer.

Father Mike Miller, pastor at St. Patrick, introduced Sobiech. He formerly served as pastor at a parish in Stillwater where the Sobiech family are members.

Zach Sobiech received national attention in December, 2012, when his song "Clouds" went viral and caught the attention of the nation.

Zach’s story began in 2009 when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a very aggressive bone cancer that strikes mostly children. He was 14 years old at the time.

"I had so many thoughts in my head - it was like a popcorn popper, with thoughts popping in and out," Sobiech said. "But I stopped when I thought ‘I could lose him.’"

She put her faith in God and asked for the strength to help Zach through his experience.

"One day I asked Zach - ‘What do you think this is all about?’" His answer was "I don’t know, but I think it’s for something big."

She said Zach learned to live in small segments - three months at a time, that centered around the stages of his treatments.

"He couldn’t focus on the future. Zach chose to be grateful for each day."

As the disease progressed, she urged Zach to write "Goodbye" letters to family and friends. At the same time, they became active with the Children’s Cancer Research Center and were part of a Radiothon on KS95 for the organization. Zach brought his guitar to the studio played the song "Clouds," which he wrote in place of the goodbye letters his mom had suggested. The organizers were impressed, and arranged to have the song recorded in a studio.

The song was played in rotation on KS95, and it quickly went viral.

The next few months were.............

To see more on this story pick up the May 5, 2016 print edition of The New Prague Times.