We participated in our first 5k as a family, the Make a Wish Race for Wishes.
It was a blast!
Jake was so excited he even got up and dressed himself.
However, the momentum and energy of the event got the best of us and we all finished the 5K!
Before the race Jake got to meet up and superhug one of his wish givers Christine!
Addison did a super job and ran the entire time, except when she had to stop and walk to wait on her pacers, Matt and Papa.
She can't wait to run another race.
Jake and I alternated running and walking. He did a great job and I was so very proud of him. As he approached the finish line his adrenaline got pumping, he picked up his speed, and he was grinning from ear to ear.
The crowd energetically cheered for the "little wish kid wearing the green shirt." Jake followed, and also cheered for himself. This kid never stops smiling, but I don't know if I have EVER seen him be so proud of himself.
As I parent, as I watched him cheer, run and smile across that finish line, the past year flashed in front of me.
Was this the same kid that a year ago, almost to the day, couldn't even hold his head up, much less walk?
Last year at this time, we spoon fed him all his meals in a highchair or on the floor surrounded by pillows.
Last year at this time, he would go through a couple shirts a day, as they were quickly soaked from his excessive drooling.
Was this the same child, who had sat in the ER far too many times in 9 months, waiting to be sewn back together?
Was this really my son running toward me, who was basically in a drug and seizure induced coma for 9 months of his life....just a year ago?
All these thoughts swirled inside my head in the brief moment as I saw the complete elation in his little face as he crossed the finish with a cheering crowd backing his every step.
That moment, with my daughter as happy as a lark from completeing one of her first milestones, my husband and family by my side, and my little hero dashing toward me, I am quite sure I have never been so thankful, nor proud to be a mommy in my life!
My kids are fighters!
They sure as heck can conquer any darned obstacle thrown at them.
The Make a Wish Foundation is so much more than I ever thought it was! For them we are Thankful! They truly make wishes and dreams come true!
Let us rise up and be thankful,
for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little,
and if we didn't learn a little,
at least we didn't get sick,
and if we got sick, at least we didn't die;
so, let us all be thankful.
- The Buddha
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