Parenting can be hard. But there are also many joyful moments, like seeing the joy on your child’s face when they get to do something they’ve always wanted to do.

We couldn’t help but share this beautiful Facebook post that Tony Wilson (creator of www.speakola.com) posted on his personal page about his son Jack, that has gone viral.

Tony shared a tear-jerking post about his favourite photo of Jack, who has cerebral palsy. Tony and Jack attended a Bruce Springsteen concert because as Tony explained in his post, “He (Jack) watches ‘Bwuce’ all day on YouTube. No greatest hits fan is Jack. He requests specific gigs, tracks, guest artists (Bwian from Gaslight Anthem with Bwuce!). He knows all the E-Street Band by name.”

Tony shared the concerns of taking Jack to a loud arena and what unfolded during the concert.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, and Jack’s photo speaks so much more, of a little boy, in heaven, listening to his favourite songs.

Here is Tony’s post in full:

Perhaps my favourite ever photo of Jack.

We were so unsure whether to take him to see Springsteen.

On the one hand, he is seriously obsessed. He watches ‘Bwuce’ all day on YouTube. No greatest hits fan is Jack. He requests specific gigs, tracks, guest artists (Bwian from Gaslight Anthem with Bwuce!). He knows all the E-Street Band by name.

On the other hand, lack of vision and sensory processing issues mean he can’t cope with loud music. He’s made screaming exits from the school fete and dozens of other PA scenarios. He even hates rain if it’s too loud on the roof.

So we thought he was no chance to cope. My prediction was 2 minutes max. Tam convinced me we had to at least give him a shot.

All day he said he didn’t want to go. ‘Maybe I see Bwuce later’ he said over and over. Then he’d cry, begging not to go. ‘I see Bwuce another time! Not today!’
We set up the plans for our inevitable failure. Ned Wilson offered to wait outside AAMI Park.

Jack flinched at the first blast of noise as we exited the train.

‘Is that Bwuce?’

‘No that’s Jet’ I said.

‘Is there clapping at Jet?’

‘Yes there will be clapping at Jet’

‘Will Bwuce be on soon?’

‘Yes, after Jet’

‘And Steven Van Zant’

‘Yes, he’ll be on guitar’

‘And Patti?’

‘Yes, she’ll be there too.’

‘Bruce’s wife, Patti?’

‘Yes, she’s Bwuce’s wife’.

‘And Nils?’

And so we namechecked the whole E-Street Band as we crossed the railway yards.

It got louder and louder, but he seemed to be coping.

Then a nervous moment. Security told me I couldn’t take in a backpack.

I explained Jack’s cerebral palsy. ‘Without this I reckon he’s no chance,’ I said.

‘Fair enough,’ he said, and ushered us through.

We found our way to the back of the ground section, using lifts and ramps that toured us halfway around the stadium.

We found our spots. Plenty of room. Not too loud at all. The calm before the storm.

‘Will Bwuce play American Land?’ Jack said, which is Bruce’s thumping Pogues-ish ode to American immigration. Jack’s favourite.

‘Maybe,’ I said

‘Will he play Badlands?’

‘Definitely.’

Then it started. The ‘Melboooourne’, the clapping, the drums, the music. American Land it was.

He did the shrieking he does for the YouTube songs. His happy cheers. He called Bruce’s name. He called Steven van Zant’s name. He jiggled, he rocked, he had a ball.

For 12 songs.

One hour and ten minutes.

Then he broke. ‘Youngstown’ broke him, and he asked to go home.

Ever since he has watched this video. Over and over and over. His first words when he woke up the day after:

‘I’m a Bwuce Springsteen fan. I’m a Bwuce Springsteen goer.’

Tony’s post has been shared just over 2400 times and has received over 13k reactions.

Many commenters were moved to tears by the post and the video of Tony and Jack enjoying the concert.

What drew our heartstrings was Tony’s persistence in ensuring his son didn’t miss out. No matter the challenges, we can create awesome memories for our children.

Thank you Tony for inspiring us with your story, and Jack thank you for teaching us the simple pleasures in life (like seeing our favourite singer in concert) are some of the most important memories to take part in.