Greetings to everyone. It's Sunday night and I'm unable to sleep. Again! Part might be due to the nap I took this afternoon or the fact that Jack (a tiny bit of a bed hog) came to join me as he's not a fan of thunderstorms. Add one hot blooded pug to the mix and it doesn't make for very comfortable sleeping conditions.
As I tossed and turned, I kept thinking about yesterday's walk. Let's get the important info out of the way first. The walk raised over $140,000 yesterday and Team Sadie Bug finished in fifth place (for which we were ecstatic!) We raised just under $5000.
It was great to see so many of our friends from clinic and the cancer world. We saw Claudia, Anisa, Christy, Christy and June. I also caught a glimpse of Dr. A at one time. Then all the children we got to see again. What really throws me for a loop, however, is how many NEW kids there are. It's unbelievable how many kids we did not know.
One of the highlights of my morning was starting the walk when someone touched my arm to get my attention. It was Mary, one of the nurses in the hospital and sometimes the clinic with a ton of gals from 5th floor. I didn't get a real close look at each one, but I know I saw Crazy Abby G. It was so nice to see their smiles and know they still remember us and our Sadie girl!
Another moment for me was when they brought all the survivors up to receive their medals. While very sad that my little girl wasn't up there and, of course, feeling cheated about that, I can honestly say that I was thrilled to see all the kids that were up there. Truly thrilled! When I think about what Hannah has gone thru, what Paige is going thru, the trials and tribulations of Lily's journey...and so many more, I am proud of myself for not getting bitter or jealous of these kids. It would be very easy to do, but somehow my heart just won't let me go there. I think that is a huge thing!!
Lastly, it was a cool, drizzly, gray morning. Everyone knows that the conditions made the day seem less celebratory and more depressing. The most poignant happening of the day, for me, was when Kellie started to send the kids off to lead the way and the sun came out and SHINED!!! It was a beautiful moment and she put it quite eloquently. There could have been no doubt, after that, that those children weren't right there with each and every one of us!! Amazing moment!!
I have always thought Sadie was sending me a message on dreary days when the sun would peek out at just the right time. Now I'm more certain than ever!!
Thank you to all who walked with us yesterday, to all who donated to this very worthy cause and to those that were with us in spirit. We are so grateful to you for sharing our passion and desire to find a cure for childhood cancer!
Team Sadie Bug will be ready to go again next year!!
