A few days before this year’s March for Babies, I was informed that our March for Maddie team was being honored for raising over $50,000. In fact, we came very close to passing $100,000 raised! We’ll definitely pass that milestone next year.
On the morning of the march, we woke up even earlier than usual. We’d been invited to the VIP area so we could be recognized for the team’s fundraising. Mike, the kids, and I received this pin from the national office of the March of Dimes on behalf of our team and all of you:
We quickly ran over to greet the members of our team. More than half of the team was caught in an unexpected freeway closure, so they missed the team photo.
We would have taken a photo later, except Annabel and I had to go back to the VIP area for one more honor: we’d been invited to be a part of the “step off” that starts the march.
Lately, Annabel has been asking a lot of questions about her sister (this always happens around the march), and we’ve done our best to answer them, no matter how difficult they are. She’d also really taken an interest in the march and its purpose, so I was glad she was able to be there when we got the pin and started the march.
This year, the rain threatened during the entire walk, but luckily the skies didn’t open until a few hours later. It was nice to catch up with friends, old and new.
I talk with my hands.
Annabel also had her friends to walk and play with:
James was a little overwhelmed by all of the people (over 20,000), and preferred to take it all in from the safety of his stroller.
He did just fine for most of the walk, although he did want a little comfort at one point:
As always, the march was very emotional. It’s so heart-wrenching to see the preemies who lived. Happy tears for them, sad tears for my sweet Madeline. This year I tried hard to focus on the honors we received from March of Dimes before the walk, honors we never could have achieved without the support, donations, and kindness from so many of you. We are truly humbled and grateful for the monetary and emotional gifts you have given us. Thank you.
Debbie Botwin says:
Love Annie “holding up two fingers” – just like the teenagers!
Emily says:
I was going to say the same thing! Love Annie’s photo “with a two in it.”
miriam says:
Ok, so not the point, but do you think they make an adult version of the stroller James was in? #askingforafriend
Heather says:
Seriously, kids have it so easy!
Lanie says:
Congratulations on all the team March for Maddie has accomplished! I was thinking about you all and hoping for no rain. We have our March of Dimes walk on 5/9 this year. Like you wrote – it is a bittersweet event – happy tears for those babies still with their families and sad tears for our Jake and Sawyer and your sweet Maddie and all the other babies who we wish were still here.
Thank you for your post and the advice – I will try to focus on the accomplishments the March of Dimes has made and hope there are more parents marching with their children than those of us who are not. Sending hope and hugs. xo
Jeanie says:
Congratulations on your awards and such a successful march!
Jackson says:
Congratulations!
Steph says:
You all should be so proud of all your efforts to honor your beautiful Maddie! Congrats!
Wendy says:
In the picture where you’re holding up the banner… is that Jillian Michaels to your right?!?! Love her!
Renee says:
That’s totally her!
Renee says:
Good work, you guys. And I love the photo of James holding the finger. So sweet.
Lora says:
We walked last year and plan to do it again next year. Ideally I can find someone to pull me in a wagon, lol.
Melissa says:
So glad the march went so well and Team Maddie raised so much to help babies! I had to do a double take when I saw Annie wearing Maddie’s picture. I didn’t really think they looked a ton alike but if you see them side by side you can totally tell they are siblings! There is a lot of subtle family resemblance.
Liz says:
Somehow I missed this post when it went up. But …
Congratulations on your fund-raising success! I have donated in memory of Maddie in the past.
Now, sadly, I donate in memory of my own niece and nephew. We marched for them a few years ago and the rain did not hold off. The lessons, never, ever, make your team T-shirts white!