We walked!
Despite a series of mishaps, we did accomplish our goal--we walked!
To get it out of the way, though, here's what didn't go so well:
1. Driving around Cambridge for a half hour looking for the parking garage, which led to
2. Missing the Team Down Syndrome group photo and
3. Missing the official start time of the walk and
4. Not having enough time to pump a bottle for Kaleb which led to
5. Trying to nurse him on a park bench in the rain while the rest of the family enjoyed the festivities after the walk. And to top it off
6. Two sets of camera batteries and a cell phone battery died and
7.We forgot a change of clothes for Audyn just in case her diaper leaked, which never happens, anyway. Well, it happened, and the pants were very, very soggy.
8. At the end of the day we drove around Cambridge for another 40 minutes trying to get back to 90.
Parents these days, the kids were probably thinking, if they could only get their acts together.
Here's what was so very good about the day:
Being a part of something bigger than our personal problems. We joined hundreds, maybe thousands, of other families and friends and doctors and nurses and staff who have, know, work with children that have needed Children's Hospital. There were kids with Down syndrome and autism and other lifelong conditions, kids who once had cleft palettes, kids with oxygen, kids in wheel chairs, kids walking all on their own, babies in strollers, in backpacks, in arms. And the adults who walked with them, and in some cases for them, in memory.
One of the fun things about the walk was that people personalized the backs of their T-shirts, so while we walked we read, too. Here's a small sample of what I saw:
"In memory of my son Porter" (That one made me feel sad and grateful all at once.)
"Today's my 6th birthday" and "For my son, Duncan, celebrating 6 years!"
"Aiden's Army"
"Because my daughter inspires me"
and let's not forget "For Kaleb." Even Emelyn designed her own T with some very abstract Sharpie art. She's wearing it to bed tonight and requests to wear it tomorrow, too.
Halfway through the walk, a family stopped us on a bridge and asked us to take their picture. They reciprocated for us. I have no idea why they were there, or they us. But it didn't really matter. Everyone who walked has been touched by the unique struggles of loving a child that has faced significant, often life threatening, challenges from a very young age. There were sad stories, unfinished stories, and many many happy ones.
So to all who donated to the cause or cheered us on, thank you. In the sea of faces and feet that walked the Charles today, we were just an ordinary family, not even unique in our struggles. And it felt good. A little victory, a little declaration: this journey will shape us, but it will not claim us.
Here's to a day with a happy ending!
 |
| Happy trails |
To get it out of the way, though, here's what didn't go so well:
1. Driving around Cambridge for a half hour looking for the parking garage, which led to
2. Missing the Team Down Syndrome group photo and
3. Missing the official start time of the walk and
4. Not having enough time to pump a bottle for Kaleb which led to
5. Trying to nurse him on a park bench in the rain while the rest of the family enjoyed the festivities after the walk. And to top it off
6. Two sets of camera batteries and a cell phone battery died and
7.We forgot a change of clothes for Audyn just in case her diaper leaked, which never happens, anyway. Well, it happened, and the pants were very, very soggy.
8. At the end of the day we drove around Cambridge for another 40 minutes trying to get back to 90.
Parents these days, the kids were probably thinking, if they could only get their acts together.
Here's what was so very good about the day:
Being a part of something bigger than our personal problems. We joined hundreds, maybe thousands, of other families and friends and doctors and nurses and staff who have, know, work with children that have needed Children's Hospital. There were kids with Down syndrome and autism and other lifelong conditions, kids who once had cleft palettes, kids with oxygen, kids in wheel chairs, kids walking all on their own, babies in strollers, in backpacks, in arms. And the adults who walked with them, and in some cases for them, in memory.
 |
| An artist at work |
One of the fun things about the walk was that people personalized the backs of their T-shirts, so while we walked we read, too. Here's a small sample of what I saw:
"In memory of my son Porter" (That one made me feel sad and grateful all at once.)
"Today's my 6th birthday" and "For my son, Duncan, celebrating 6 years!"
"Aiden's Army"
"Because my daughter inspires me"
and let's not forget "For Kaleb." Even Emelyn designed her own T with some very abstract Sharpie art. She's wearing it to bed tonight and requests to wear it tomorrow, too.
Halfway through the walk, a family stopped us on a bridge and asked us to take their picture. They reciprocated for us. I have no idea why they were there, or they us. But it didn't really matter. Everyone who walked has been touched by the unique struggles of loving a child that has faced significant, often life threatening, challenges from a very young age. There were sad stories, unfinished stories, and many many happy ones.
 |
| Takin' a break |
 |
| What's not to love about that grin? |
 |
| Heading home on the bus--E's favorite event of the day |