Half Marathon

Rock n Roll Half Marathon April 27, 2013 

 

My goal was just to finish in under 3 hours and my time was 2:55:35.  I am super proud of that because it was about 50 degrees and rained the entire time.  Our plans were to run by ourselves.  But right before the race I asked John to stay with me.  I'm so glad that he did.  It made the run so much more enjoyable. 

 

We were about a half mile in and we saw a young guy using a walker and walking in front of his wheelchair.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I didn't even know him but I was so proud that he got out of his wheelchair and walked.  He looked so happy to be doing that.  

 

There are not too many pictures of the race because of the rain.  I really wish we could have gotten everyone's picture before the race.  Mike, Julie and Megan started at a different corral than us and it was just too cold after to take pictures. 

 

 

Wearing our shirts for Jack.

Lori, Saby, Me, Rocio, Rachel and John right before the race.

Betty, Lori, John, Me, Freddie, Frances, Saby
Rachel and Rocio at Joe's Crabshack for
dinner after the race.

Rachel and Rocio

Betty and Lori

Freddie, Frances (baby) and Saby 

We just happened to see the building for Antique Archaeology. 

 

 

In front of Mike and Frank's building.  Mike was going to
be there the next day signing books but it was going to
be during the race :(

I just want to thank everyone that ran for Jack.  It really meant a lot to me and John to see his shirts that day. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Angel, Jack

One year ago today.  Happy birthday in heaven, Jack!

I thought today would be a day that I wouldn't want to get out of bed.  But that wasn't the case.  Since this past weekend I have had a wonderful feeling.  Getting the tattoo and then getting Jackson's story in the Lexington Herald Leader just seemed like icing on Jackson's birthday cake. 

Jackson would have turned 4 today.  I should have been planning a birthday but instead I will be making a trip to the cemetary with John and Sarah.  I will take bright yellow flowers and a balloon or two.  One to release for Jack and the other so Sarah doesn't get upset when we let the balloon go.

Click here for the article from the Herald Leader in case anyone didn't see it on Facebook.   And here is the photo gallery from the Immersed in Ink tattoo festival.  We met some wonderful people down there.  Here are our tattoos.

Courtesy of Lexington Herald Leader

Exactly what I wanted. Simple.

Today was a day for mail.  First, a banner that a friend of John's made for us.  We will have it at the marathon this weekend. 

Then I received flowers from Nicole for Jackson's birthday.  I love the colors that she chose.  He loved yellow and (we think) his favorite color was blue. 

There is  a long story to go along with the last package.  I saw a blanket that I friend received on facebook that Join the Love made.  It was so pretty so I went to their page to see what Join the Love was about.  They crochet memory blankets for parents that have lost children.  I emailed them requesting one for Jack back in October.  They had so many that it took quite a few months for completion.  I received an email in February telling me that the box had been delivered and wanted to know if I got the blanket.  Uh oh, I hadn't.  I forgot to tell them that we moved to Lexington, it went to Ft. Knox.  I called the office at Ft. Knox, she called the new tenants and they said that they took it back to Fedex to return to sender.  I think that all that happened just so I could get it on Jack's birthday.  I told John earlier today that wouldn't it be neat if we got it today and we did!

With Join the Love, all the granny squares are made by different people all over the US then assembled by one person.  They asked his interest and favorite color.  I don't know if you can see Sponge Bob but he's there too!  It fits perfect in "Jack's room".   It was absolutly a pleasure to get this.  I immediatly stretched out the blanket on the and took pictures of it. 

Then Sarah woke up so I thought I would show her.  I think she likes it.

Happy birthday, little man!!!!  You seemed to have made this day perfect for me.  We love and miss you so much!

I didn't know

Jack's passing was sudden.  I didn't know that Saturday June 30, 2012 would be my last day with him.  I didn't know when I put him to bed that it would be the last time he would sleep in our home.  I thought I had many day, months, years to spend with him. 

I didn't know that his first Christmas being a big brother would be his last. Or that he only had a short time with us after Sarah's first birthday. That this would be the last picture that I took of him alive.

It's blurry because I was trying to take a pic of me feeding him.
The next one is better.

See much better.  Letting him taste kiwi for the
first time.

I can't say that I would do anything different because I can't change the past.  I don't think about trying to change it.  I have to live now or I would be an absolute mess. 

His birthday is exactly one month away.  I dread that day.  I don't get to kiss those sweet cheeks or hold his little fat hand.  We have constant reminders of him but holidays are the worst. 

For his birthday John, I and many friends are going to be running the Nashville Rock n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon in memory of Jack.  The training has really helped keep me focused and gets me in the gym.  Yesterday I finished 9 miles.  It may have taken me over two hours but I felt great after. 

Here is the back of the shirt we will be wearing.

Who knew that I would actually want to run 13.1 miles but I do.  Only for my boy!