NEW CASTLE, Ind. — Life’s lessons can come from anywhere, even the youngest teachers.
“With my team, I always talk about the precious present. The precious present is now, here in the moment," said New Castle head basketball coach Daniel Cox. “Archie taught us to value every moment — to live in the moment.”
Daniel's wife, Kelley, gave birth to their son, Archie, in April, and they spent four days with him before he died.
"They were four of the most beautiful, intimate days that we've had together as a family. He passed away on April 20," Kelley said.
“Archie was a glimpse of heaven for us," Daniel said. "He was perfect, he just wasn't made for this Earth.”
Mom and dad knew their son’s purpose.
“We said having experienced that loss, we wanted to be able to create a foundation, an organization that would be able to support other families who are going through a devastating loss through this crisis, the grief, and so 'Archie's Promise' came about," Kelley said.
It's a fund no parent ever hopes they need, but one that has universal support. That was evident during a New Castle varsity basketball game this month against rival New Palestine. Both teams and student sections wore Archie's Promise shirts.
“It takes your breath away," Daniel said. "I mean, it kind of humbles you, and then, a lot of ways, it makes you really gain perspective. Archie's life did that in a way and so did Friday night.”
It was a night where the emphasis wasn’t on the rivalry.
“Really, really cool to see everybody come together for a bigger purpose," Daniel said.
The season continues into the new year but so does their son’s legacy.
“I think my lesson from Archie is just to trust in God's plan because it doesn't always look like we may expect it to look here, but now we see it, and we know that Archie's life is going to do wonderful things," Kelley said.
Nearly $10,000 were raised for the Archie's Promise fund, which directly helps families going through infant loss, which includes funeral expenses and medical bills. To get the fund up and running, they need $25,000.
To donate to Archie's Promise, click here.