Evelyn, tonight I went over to help Andrea Brown and her family do last minute prep work for the race. They are working unbelievably hard to put this all together. I couldn’t even imagine all the stress and hours upon hours they have spent to make this event special in honor of their daughter, and now for you too. I went over to help stuff bags, which is very small in comparison to the amount of work their whole family is doing. It was also the first time I saw the signs that will go out along the path of the 4 mile and 10k. I designed them, so I knew what they looked like. But seeing them in person just brought me to tears. Your sweet little face placed on each sign. 10 signs. 1 for each month of your life.
Your whole life displayed on 10 signs.
Andrea gave me a big hug. She new exactly how I was feeling. I said doing all of this stuff for the run is great, but in reality it just sucks. We said that last line in unison. It just sucks. It’s great that we are remembering our precious babies and raising money so that other parents do not have to go through what we are going through. But the whole reason we are selling shirts, promoting a run, putting pictures on boards is because you are no longer here. Andrea said that her and Pete have those moments too.
Luckily our minds don’t allow us to focus on that reason too long. So let’s focus on the positive reason Evelyn. The reason we are going out to the park tomorrow night to set up as a family with our family and Andrea’s family is because we are celebrating your life. We get to show the world, who didn’t get to meet you, how beautiful you are, your sweet smile, and the love we have for you. The reason we do this is because you are our daughter, our granddaughter, our Goddaughter, our niece and our friend. You are all these things to so many of us.
While it is bittersweet, tomorrow we will be prepping for your big 10K on Saturday. All for you, so that we get to show hundreds of people your smiling face.
Dear Evy: 