Race Day

Saturday The Joy-Hope Foundation debuted with a 5k Run/Walk. We were so excited to have a great turnout. There were 275 registered racers and at least 300 turnout for the overall event. It was so amazing to see the whole vision I had come together. We were able to raise over $11,300 for our efforts as well!

There was no way that this event could have been pulled off if it weren't for the 30 volunteers that day and leading up to that day. That was one of my favorite parts. It really blew Allan and myself away. We could not believe that there were so many people willing to work their tails off for our foundation. So very cool indeed.

As we were cleaning up, the niece of one of the volunteers found a bright red ladybug on her leg. Perfect. I showed my bugs, they were delighted. That was so very special.

This race was held the weekend of the Anniversary of Ava's infant dedication. Not intentional, but that is when it was. As a fatter of fact it was the Anniversary of Eric's as well. This is when Allan and I promised to put God's Plan for our children ahead of our own. What ever it may be.

I remember how she was not having a great day that morning and I wondered if I was going to need to take her to the hospital instead of the church. I felt sick to my stomach. Then she perked up and did great. We came home and had a huge party. We were celebrating Emily and Alexa's 5Th birthday and Ava's dedication. Although the party was a few weeks before their Birthday, they insisted that they share their special day with Ava. They still talk about how important that is to them. Who knew that a short 12 days later she would go to the hospital?

For the all of our children's infant dedication's my Mom makes a cake. She usually picks the scripture for the cake. It represents each child's theme, so to speak. She's really good at that by the way, hitting the nail in the head each time. For Ava it was a team effort. We settled on Isaiah 40: 29-31: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I could write a whole paper on the power that these words have for me right now. In this moment. In light of Ava, the Joy-Hope Foundation, Eric, parenting, grieving, holding Ava's hand at her bedside and being amazed by her inner strength and tenacity, having a 5K and running one for the first time in my life.

Ava's name means bird. I remember wondering why God wanted me to name my baby bird. It's not so glamorous you know.

As you can well imagine, race day was very emotional for me. To hear my husband stand before all of those people, some who came for the sport and most who came to support the vision of the Joy-Hope Foundation, and tell who we are, why we are hear, and what we've lost was surreal. We had a germ of an idea 11 1/2 months ago. Here it is. Where do we go with it now?

My questions are numerous as to what the next steps are and the "how's" of those steps. My mind was full on the way home of those things. Plus we were flat out exhausted, physically, emotionally, mentally. As we drove down route one south, I saw a Bald Eagle soaring, effortlessly, majestically, right outside my car window.

The Ladybug was for my bugs, the Eagle was for us.