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Even though the surgery was more<br />
intrusive than the couple initially anticipated,<br />
they are able to see God’s provision. The<br />
oncologist assured the couple, “Had we<br />
not gone in and removed this, it would not<br />
have gone well.” Malorie Aldridge shared,<br />
“It was a very big blessing that he had to<br />
have that surgery.”<br />
Through tears and a shaking voice, Mrs.<br />
Aldridge said, “God has been so good to us.<br />
When we found out we were diagnosed,<br />
we called our people and got our prayer<br />
warriors on it and this community has just<br />
put their arms around us.” She went on to<br />
name several teams at Northwest Rankin<br />
and Brandon, the school administrators, the<br />
church, their family, and so many others<br />
who have come together to support them.<br />
She added, “Years ago, Brandon and<br />
Northwest softball teams started a ‘Playing<br />
for the Cure’ game and they are doing that<br />
in honor of KK this year.” The game will be<br />
held March 24. The tee shirts that were sold<br />
to benefit the Aldridge family had a slogan<br />
stating, “Together We Fight.” Malorie shared,<br />
“That’s exactly how we have felt. We have<br />
not felt for one second that we have gone<br />
through this journey by ourselves because of<br />
our community and how much they have<br />
loved us. That is so humbling.”<br />
Coach Aldridge continued, “I’d never<br />
wish this on anyone, but you do get to see<br />
how much people love you by the support<br />
they give you. It makes you want to beat this<br />
thing even more and get out there and<br />
continue what you’re doing.” He went on<br />
to share that he and Malorie consider the<br />
students to be their mission field and<br />
they desire to impact those students and<br />
help them become the best version of<br />
themselves.<br />
“We fully trust in God’s plan. We want<br />
God to get the glory from this whole story<br />
and whatever avenue He chooses to take<br />
us down, we just hope that it’s a platform<br />
where His light can be shone.”<br />
The couple shared about one another,<br />
“She’s been my rock. There are a lot of times<br />
where I don’t have a lot of energy, and she has<br />
stepped up and handled it all,” Coach KK said.<br />
“Days are hard, but God’s word says<br />
when we are weak, He is strong,” Malorie<br />
shared. “I’ve been clinging to the Lord and<br />
watching KK be amazing. He has taken this<br />
on with such poise, and he has not been<br />
shaken.”<br />
Looking back over 2022, it was quite a<br />
rollercoaster of a year for Coach Aldridge.<br />
He experienced everything from the extreme<br />
high of his team winning the state championship<br />
in May, to the extreme low of his<br />
diagnosis. He used the slogan “be where<br />
your feet are” with the team last year. “That<br />
was great for its purpose for baseball, to<br />
enjoy the moment you are in,” he shared.<br />
“But I was able to transfer that just a few<br />
months later to the cancer diagnosis. That’s<br />
one thing cancer will do, is allow you to not<br />
take for granted the things you have, but to<br />
focus on the things that are most important;<br />
family and relationships. Obviously, my walk<br />
with God has grown deeper. I’ve learned, be<br />
where your feet are, so you can grow to be<br />
the person that God wants you to be.”<br />
24 • MARCH 2023