There can be so much anxiety leading up to walk day. It's the same for me each year. We had our walk a weekend ago and had excellent weather! The boys did pretty well. They were grumbling about tired legs though sooner than expected. It was a bit harder to get them going in the morning. D was a little mad that he had to miss his Saturday morning bowling league. I didn't sleep at all the night before. I never do. I remember the first walk we did together, the year our lives changed forever 6 years ago now. I was completely numb. I remember bringing the red wagon to pull the kids along. D was 3 years old and T was just 20 months old back in April of 2009. I remember picking up T the last leg of the walk, holding him, and crying as we approached the finish line. I felt totally helpless, lost, and defeated. I was still receiving blood thinner shots 12 hours apart. I was walking for our son Naethyn, a 30-weeker baby who did not get his chance to fight for life. I was very much mourning our angel son during that walk, but also walking for our two surviving preemie boys. It was surreal.
This year, as we walked again, I was taking it all in. I walked a little behind our boys and realized that we have come a very long way in the last 6 years. Quickly reflecting on all of the things that have happened to us since that time and how we've grown closer together. I looked at the other team shirts as we walked. Some are veteran teams, names we recognize each year. Other team shirts revealed that they are just starting out in their journey with a NICU graduate or loving an angel in their heart or both. So many families are affected by premature birth and I wish that none of us knew this pain. So proud of my boys for their willingness to get up early again for their brother. I hope that they will always want to walk with us in remembering him and to celebrate how far they've come as well.
Your boys are adorable and I love the team shirts. It's amazing at how far you've come. Sending a lot of love.
Rebecca
Ohh I love love love your shirts!!! Many many hugs to you dear friend. P.s. you boys are growing up soooo fast! Miss you!
Samantha
Love the pictures, what awesome t-shirts! Your boys are getting so big and are so cute. :-) You are setting such a great example for them by doing this every year and including them. Remembering their rough starts as well as their brother's tragic early birth is so important.
You're doing amazing things and passing them on.
So much love to you,
Tommie
I love the shirts this year. I can probably guess who helped. :)
I have found that leading up to the walk this year is a little bitter sweet. I am proud of our team but also so sad that we have one at all.
Hugs,
Jami
Awww, love the pictures and the team shirts! What a great way to celebrate their accomplishments and also honor their brother!