Speechless

photo courtesy of JustOneMiss

Saturday was the March of Dimes March for Babies. Or as most of us had started to refer to it as March for Maddie.

I was insanely early as usual, arriving at the meeting spot a full hour before everyone else. I had ordered a tshirt but was not positive that one in my size would be procurred so I covered myself in head to toe purple just in case.

We had a great crowd show up for our team alone I think there were about 75 of us gathered to March for Maddie. (photo courtesy of Megan)

Image by adriennevh via Flickr

Sherri Shephard and Michael Cooper were the Masters of Ceremonies. Sherri is the mom of a NICU Graduate and has been a voice for March of Dimes for quite a while.

We set out on our way after the opening

Image by adriennevh via Flickr

ceremonies. I'm not gonna lie, it was hard for me. 3 miles was a long way and the knees and hips were cramping and slipping multiple times. But I did it, I crossed the finish line and waited to cry until I got back in the car alone. I did poop out and not join in on any todo's afterwards because honestly the two pain pills I had saved for this event did me absolutely no good whatsoever.

I know others that have lost children, this is not a new phenomenom. However, the spotlight is not usually placed on greiving parents. they are not usually expected to "perform" or appear in public or speak to a crowd of over 10,000. I don't know how these two have held themselves together but I am in such awe of them and respect them greatly for it.

I leave you with this, Heather and Mike speaking at the opening ceremonies, telling everyone who Maddie is. I will tell you that everyone on the dias and everyone in the crowd stood when they finished and I can bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house. We all miss you Maddie Moo.

Video Courtesy of Rachel