Dan and I sent out emails to our friends early this morning saying that were not going to do the walk due to strong thunderstorms (we were just going to drive down with Jack to see the event, but not walk). However, despite the rain and thunder and after encouragement from our friends the McKays, we decided to tough out the walk for our baby girl this morning.
My parents, sisters and the McKays all met for the race at St. Anthony main. We couldn't believe the turn out and the amount of "teams" in matching t-shirts supporting other children with heart conditions.
It was a beautiful walk along the river through areas of Minneapolis that we had never seen before. Along the way we met many families with amazing and inspiring stories. Some families were there to support their children with heart conditions and some to remember the children they had lost to heart disease. (These stories were the hardest but it was comforting to see how many people have traveled down a similar path to ours.) One couple that we talked to said that they were in our same position 2 years ago and then introduced us to their darling son, Andrew, who has had several surgeries at Children's and is doing very well. I can't help but think that it was a sign meeting them because they were the "Thompson" family.
It turned out to be a great day. We are so happy that the McKays rallied the group and that we made it. What an amazing day! We cannot wait to do it again next year in support of our baby girl, Sophia!
2 comments:
She has a name! I love it!!
Alli and Dan,
We are glad that we were able to go on
the walk with you. Hats off to Kathy, Rob,
and Scarlet for seeing the possiblity for sunshine during a downpour! You were right!
It was entertaining to walk with Sammy, Jack, and Scarlet and to see trains,
bridges, and barges through their eyes!
eyes! Someday they will look at the pictures
and know that even one and two year olds
can take steps to help!
We keep thinking about little two year old
Andrew Thompson, a boy we met along the walk.
His mother (Joanne Thompson!) shared with you that she was in your shoes two years ago. Seeing how far he has come was so inspiring. What hope he gives us! Thank you
little Andrew! Next year we will introduce
you to Sophia!
Alli, Dan, and Jack - We hope that this week
is a calm one. Again, through all that happened last week, and the decisions you
made, you were so strong!
Love, Mom and Dad
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