It started last Saturday with Edie getting sick with pneumonia. She stopped eating, ran a fever for several days and had a terrible cough that kept everyone up for many nights. It got so bad that Scott and I did something we said we would never do. We let Edie sleep with us. I am not sure if anyone got any sleep, but it gave us peace of mind. Poor little thing. She stayed out of school all week. We canceled all of her therapy appointments and we just kept her home praying for her to get better before the big weekend. The Mercedes Marathon and The Bell Center Children's Run. Edie was sick this same time last year which caused her to miss the Children's Run so we really wanted her to make it this year. On Wednesday her fever broke, on Thursday she ate for the first time in 6 days!! By Friday she was on the road to recovery and acting more like herself. We were so thankful to see her bright eyes and smiling face on Saturday morning and know that she was back to her happy self again. We missed her.
So Saturday morning we bundled her in two layers of clothes, two coats and gloves and we headed to The Bell Center Children's Run. It was in Scott's words "The most exciting thing he had ever seen" and it was! All of the children from TBC were carried, pushed, walked, whatever means possible across the actual Mercedes Marathon Finish Line where they received an official Medal. Edie was in the "Walker Heat". We were not sure how well she would do since we had not been practicing but she did fantastic! She got right in there, grabbed on to her walker and she literally took off!! Almost at a running pace. She actually won her heat (if there is a winner) so maybe I should say she crossed the finish line first. The cutest part was seeing the look on her face as she passed by the cheering crowd. She LOVED it!! I thought at one point she was going to stop and wave. I wish everyone could have been there to see her in her glory. We were soooooo proud!
Sunday morning we bundled up again and headed back out to Lynn Park to watch Team(s) Ladybug cross the finish line. Scott, Jimmy and Eric crossed the finish line first around 9:30 after running the 1/2 Marathon. It was really exciting to see the three of them round the corner and see the smiles on their faces knowing they were so proud of their accomplishment. After they crossed the finish line we went in for a while to warm up before we headed back out to see the rest of the teams and Lisa who ran the full marathon run past. We had a total of 22 family members and friends running for TBC and in honor of Edie on Saturday. Scott, Aunt Mindy, Uncle Zach, Uncle Chuck, Jimmy, Eric, Randy, Matt, Mark, Russell, Tanner, Candy, Heath, Conner, Lucy, Cissy, Shanna, Amber, Brandi, Lisa, Amanda, and Daphney. It was such a special day that I will never forget. I can not tell you how great it felt to see everyone come together in support of our cause and most of all in support of Edie. I am so grateful to every runner who made this day possible and I so grateful for the love and support everyone has shown. It means more than you will ever know.
I couldn't agree more with Scott's description of the children's race:
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It truly is. We were honored to be a part of the race for two years and it was the most beautiful sight to see.
The picture of you and Edie brought tears to my eyes. These are the moments that make us so proud. The moments that we never knew would be so important and bring such meaning to our lives.
Way to go Edie, you make me proud!
Jenn Henderson
Hooray for Edie! We were so glad we could be there to see you run your race and cheer you on. You were like greased lightening. We are so proud of you and all your accomplishments. We know you are going to do so many more great things in the days to come. We love, love, love you.
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