As the sun creeps over the horizon in Tupelo, I wake up to find that my Walker Wilbanks cartoon is one of the most shared pieces of art I’ve ever drawn. Over 28,000 people have seen it on my Fan Page and shared it 375 times. It has been liked over 1,200 times. Fifty-five more people have shared it on my regular page. It has been retweeted on Twitter over 850 times (the most of any of my 40,000 tweets) and been favorited about that many times. Rival private and public schools have retweeted it. Famous people have, too. And so have Walker’s friends.
But let me make this clear — its popularity doesn’t have a thing to do with the cartoon.
No, it has gone viral because one young man’s life touched ours. By all accounts, Walker was a great kid. A special kid. He had the ability to make those around him feel amazing. He was a good football player — but had a special gift when it came to baseball. And being a friend. A brother. And a son.
Today Walker’s friends and family are waking up in a world with a huge hole in it. The Jackson Prep community is in mourning. Kids are having to act like adults way too soon. Parents are hugging their children a little tighter. Mississippi is reflecting on how the story of one good kid’s short life has moved us. We fall back on our faith as we grapple with yet another senseless tragedy. And we reach out to those who’ve had to bury their children.
In an hour, I will stand up in front of a crowd and talk about how great things come from our worst moments. This one will be a struggle. But I know the example of one young man’s life will shape this community for the good.
And my hope is that my simple little drawing brings a moment of peace on a day filled with so many questions.
Marshall
Thank you, Marshall. Your comments are “spot-on!”
*red wing salute* well said (and drawn) Marshall!!!!
You write as well as you draw, and that’s saying something.
Thank you for sharing your heart and work with us.