a day to remember

So, you guys…this happened over the weekend!

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And this…

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And this….

Getting high-fives from the Marquette Women's Basketball team!

 

For the 5th year in a row our family participated in Briggs and Al’s Run for Children’s Hospital. When we first formed our team, Jackson strolled along with us on our three mile walk. But over the years, Al’s Run has become a celebration in memory of our boy.

I wish I could adequately put into words what the day was like, but it is truly something you have to experience for yourself. You might think that it would be a difficult day for us. And I have to admit, it does cause a little anxiety the morning of, but I love this day and what it represents. For our family, it is a celebration of Jackson. It’s a day to remember him and honor him and talk freely about him. What better way to celebrate our little guy than with music, a marching band, cheerleaders and 16,000 of our closest friends!

But Briggs and Al’s Run is also about so much more. It’s about the babies who aren’t born healthy and need some extra love in the NICU. It’s about the kids who suffer from cancer and spend their days in and out of the hospital. And it’s about the little ones that are in need of another heart surgery to be whole again. We come together to celebrate, honor and remember all of those children who have fought, and are fighting, for their health; and to thank the hospital and amazing medical professionals who dedicate their lives to helping our kids.

I continue to grieve for Jackson, but then days like this come along, and for the few hours that is Briggs and Al’s Run, the weight of grief is lifted. Saturday was an awe-inspiring day filled with laughter and tears, and a whole lot of celebrating our little boy.

Thank you to everyone who joined JR Hearts this year, as well as to those who supported us through monetary donations. It is a blessing and honor for us to be surrounded by our loved ones on this day, including some of the medical team that cared for our boy. We feel loved beyond measure.

JR Hearts 2015

JR Hearts 2015

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Kate and her dear friend, Maddie

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Ryder needed a little love.

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Kate getting in on the selfie action.

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Ryder and I with one of our favorite doctors who cared for Jackson.

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Reese Family

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Enjoying Al’s Run

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I was loving the snuggles.