running for Angel and angels

Today, I participated in the 2nd annual "A Walk To Remember and 5k"  in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  I was so honored to be a part of this!

I awoke at 6am to get ready and drive about an hour north to where the event was being held.

new cold weather running shirt and pants - love it

I put on my forget-me-not necklace, made sure I had written down the names of those babies I was going to run for - in addition to Angel - and made my way north. It was a beautiful drive! The sun rose over the mountains, and I was in awe of my savior! So much so, I had to try to snap a few picks... shhhhh....

See the pretty mountain in the distance?

Beautiful trees on both sides of the road, and beautiful mountains in the distance.

I was very reflective on my drive up to the event. I thought about how nice it was to be able to do something like this for Angel and all our babies.  I thought about Angel, and smiled.  It was nice to be able to think about Angel and smile.  I find I can do that more and more as time passes. Smile and not cry or feel that dull ache.

I got to the 5k and got my t-shirt. First thing I did was to write the names of Angel and our babies on the shirt, and then, I put it on.

The event was run VERY well.  This was my third 5k, and it was the smallest one I've been to; however, I was not disappointed.  It was beyond fun to run with other ladies I knew were running for their babies and friends' babies.  It was emotional too.  I cried only once when before the race began the guest speaker read the following poem...

"What Makes a Mother?"

I closed my eyes
And Prayed to God today
I asked, "What makes a mother?"
And I know I heard him say
A mother has a baby
This we know is true

But, God can you be a mother
When your baby's not with you?

Yes, you can he replied
With confidence in his voice
I give any women babies
When they leave it is not their choice
Some I send for a lifetime
And others for the day
And some I send to feel your womb
But there's no need to stay.

I just don't understand this God
I want my baby here
He took a breath
and his cleared his throat
And then I saw a tear
I wish I could show you
What your child is doing here

If you could see your child smile
With other children and say
"We go to earth to learn out lesson out of life and fear, but
My Mommy loved me so much
I got to come straight here!"
I feel so lucky to have a Mom who
had so much love for me
I learned my lessons very quickly
My Mommy set me free.

I miss my Mommy oh so much
But I visit her each day
When she goes to sleep
On her pillow is were I lay
I stroke her hair and kiss her check
And whisper in her ear
"Mommy, Please don't be sad
Today I'm your baby and I am here"

So you see my dear sweet one
Your children are okay
Your babies are here in My Home
And this is where they'll stay
They'll wait for you with Me
Until your lessons there are through
And on the day that you come home
they'll be at the gates waiting for you

So now you see
What makes a Mother
It's the feeling in your heart
It's the love you had so much of
Right from the very start

 

If you read that, it's okay. Take a moment. I sure had to!

Oh, and I can't forget to mention the balloon release...

in honor of our babies - simply beautiful

And then, we were off! They started the 5k before the walk.  I had my Map My Run app on my phone going during the race, and so, I was able to get the following stats on my run:

I ran with MapMyRUN! Distance: 3.03mi, time: 35:15, pace: 11:38min/mi, speed: 5.16mi/h.

This is one minute better than my previous 5k.  Each one I run, my time improves! I wasn't trying to improve my time on this one. My only goal was to run it all despite any hills, and I did that!  MapMyRUN told me a few times as I was running that I hit 6mi/h.  I impressed myself.  Mostly, I was glad I could run impressively for my Angel and for our babies.  So much so that... I won 1st place in my age group!!!

The first place ribbon was made by the children of a local church - how special is that?!

It was a great day!  I even won a raffle price - I never win anything!!! What a winning day! ;-)

my raffle prize


Click HERE to see additional pics from my run!

I had a great time.  It was a great event.  And I'm so thankful my great God has gifted me with the ability and desire to run.  And glad that I got to use that desire/ability to honor Angel and our babies.

It just seemed right to listen to the following song on the way home today.  Enjoy...