AHA Heart Walk 2011

{Saturday} September 17, 2011

About 6 months ago I found online that there was a walk here in San Diego {in Balboa Park . . . beautiful!} for the American Heart Association. Hannah and I had been making bracelets to sell and donate the money to the AHA, and when I came across this heart walk I decided that {seeing as it's an annual event} this would be the perfect thing for us to participate in. The girls were really struggling with their Aunt Charish passing away and I thought that focusing their energy to something good would divert their attention a bit and make something good out of something so devastating for them. In return I learned how much I really needed some healing as well. This process of planning & holding fundraising events and raising money has been hugely healing for me. My goal was to help my girls and it ended up helping all of us. Win. Win.

Our goals: raise $1,000 and recruit 20 people to walk with us.

What we ended up with: raised $1,457 and recruited 36 people. Awesome! I love these people so much. They {along with countless other people who weren't able to come} have supported me throughout this entire time . . . I couldn't have done it without them.

 

My mom, and Lindsay Evans stayed up with me last night and helped me make "thank you's" to everyone who came. Just a small baggie of Hugs and Kisses for all of their help.

 We got up before the sun to make it in time. The walk started bright and early. My great kids! Reha {7}, Porter {9 months}, Charlise {3}, and Hannah {10}. I can't wait to share this walk with them every year. They are such amazing kids. 

 *melt*

Lindsay and Daylynn Evans came from Irvine to walk with us. Lindsay is one of my dearest friends and has been there for me through every inch of my life {good, bad and horrific} since I met her 4 years ago. I'm so lucky to have friends like her!!

Charlise and Daylynn

Hannah, Porter, Reha, Josh and Jake {my sister's two boys}

Josh, Jake and Jason

 Nephew, Justin and sister in-law Becky {This woman has totally stepped up and has made sure I don't go without my "sister" time. Losing my only sister would have been so much worse if I didn't have her in my life!}

 Two of my nephews, Gage and Justin

My friend, Stacy and her mom.

Charish's god-daughter, Tiffany, Sal and their new baby girl, Charish Maria.

My friend Megan and her family.

Charish's friends, Niki and Rodney

Sister in-law, Kathie and Wade's brother, Rick {I love this picture of them playing with Porter. I LOVE seeing how much they love each other in this picture.}

My man supporting me every step of the way. One. Awesome. Dude.

 My neighbor growing up, Lyndsay King, and her boys Talan and Gavin.

Another sister in-law, Andrea and her crew, Cameron, Clare, Wyatt, and Tag. {I am SO lucky to have such a big, supportive family!}

 My brother, Ian, and his daughter, Jayna.

 Starting out . . . 

I found myself drifting behind everyone, watching them as they walked together. It felt so good to watch so many people that I love out there walking simply because I asked them to. I felt the spirit so strong as I walked alone behind my group. I know, as much as I know anything, that Charish was back there walking with me. It's such a big feeling when I have moments like that. {I've only felt her this strong two other times. Once at the cemetery . . . I blogged about it HERE . . . and once in the temple when I was late for my niece, Aubrey's endowment session}. I use the word 'big' because I don't know how else to describe it. It consumes me and I can't help but smile and feel like crying at the same time . . . cry because I'm sad and happy. So weird. I love that I felt her there. I knew she'd be there, but didn't know if I'd be so wrapped up in everything that I wouldn't feel her. So glad that we had our own little moment together. 

 I wish you could really tell from this picture just how many people were there. It was powerful to see so many people there for the same reasons.

 3.1 miles later.

 My cute mom was there too!

 Team Charish's Hope!

 It really wouldn't have been the same without Lindsay there. She was there to watch my kids all night when Charish collapsed and hasn't been far since. I love her SO much! {She also blogged about the walk HERE}

 At the end of the walk they had a t-shirt design contest, so Hannah went up to represent our team. She did such a great job. Such a brave girl to get up in front of everyone.

Thank you to everyone who donated money and/or came to the walk. You have helped fill a hole that was a tough one to fill. I love you . . . each of you. I will never forget how every one of you stepped up to lift me and my family.
XOXO Forever,
Lyric