Why I Walk

OK, I know, two posts in one day?  Who is this really?  Whatever... lol

So the pirate and I were talking the other day and she suggested adding a "why I walk" section to our annual W5kfC.  She'd seen other fundraisers do this type of thing.  I thought it was brilliant and immediately (ish) set out to collect comments from some of those close to us as "starters" so everyone can see it Saturday and follow suit if they wish.

After reading a couple, I thought I'd put mine up on this space.  Here goes...



I walk because, for the rest of my life, I'll remember making the phone call to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office and finding out about the crash.

I'll always remember the first time we walked into her room in the Neuro Unit at Lutheran General and the shock I felt when I saw her.

I'll always remember that "anointing of the sick" sounds so much more hopeful than "last rites"

I'll always remember the guy from Gift of Hope telling us we'd have another 24 hours to spend with her til they could "harvest" her organs.

I'll always remember that the drunk reminded me physically of a nephew and wondering if I'd ever be able to talk to the nephew again.

I'll always remember the tears streaming down the face of the Blonde Child's Mother as she read her Victim's Impact Statement in court.

I'll always remember my feeling of outrage that he only got 7 1/2 years.

I'll always remember sitting on the driveway at 2:00 AM watching the stars and wondering...

I'll always remember the "self-portraits".

I'll always remember laughing when we heard the stories about stunts she'd pull that we never knew about.

I'll always remember how much Diane used to smile and laugh before.

I'll always remember how helpless I felt when I knew she was in pain.  And there was nothing I could do about it.

I'll always remember how we figured it was nothing.

I'll always remember telling her "it's ok, I understand."

I'll always remember the comfort I found believing they were together.

I never want another family to go through what we've gone through.  Ever.  That's why I walk.

And if somebody or something holds a copyright to "why I walk" sue my ass.  I don't care.


Don't drink and drive.