The Boston Heart Walk was yesterday. This was our 7th Walk. In our first walk in 2010 we were Team Tracie with eight members. We raised about $2,500 for the AHA. In the years ahead our team grew and we were more organized. We became Hearts and Soles. Our logo as a heart with footprints walking through it. Then, in 2013, our logo became two hearts with footprints to commemorate Tracie's surgery. Our family and friends have been there for us at every walk and we greatly appreciate those who walk with us and those who so generously donate to our team. We're just trying to give back a little of the love we got.
September 11 was always known as Mom's Birthday. Well, until 2001. That year we sat in Mom's backyard "celebrating" her birthday. Dad was still with us although we didn't know that would be the last time he would be there on her day. It was eerily quiet that evening. There were no airplanes passing over. At home, the television continually broadcast the days events. I remember one of the kids asking if the terrorists would get us. All I could do was give a hug and say that Mom and Dad wouldn't let anyone hurt them. It was an empty promise but it was the best I could do, and it was the truth.
Today was the Flags on the 48 memorial in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Hikers fly our Flag on the summits of all of New Hampshire's four thousand foot mountains. I have participated several times. This year just wouldn't work. It is a very moving event and many thanks to Jim Roy for his dedication to the event, and for organizing every year.
Jim's wife Cathie is participating in the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention. I think that suicide has affected each of us in some way in our lifetime. I ask that you consider donating to her or anyone you know who may be walking. Here's the link to her fundraising page.
http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=1015593
The kids are back in school and the house is quiet in the daytime. For all the joking about not being able to wait for school to start, I miss having them around!
My cousin got married in Vermont last weekend. I think we recovered about Thursday. The days leading up to the wedding were fun and the wedding itself was great. We were able to see so many family members that we hadn't seen in a while. Katie was amazed to know that she has so many cousins/friends. It was nice to see the little ones enjoying the family time. There was much talk of more getting the cousins together and I hope it happens. Weddings and funeral just aren't cutting it!
The hazy, lazy days of summer are coming to an end. We can look forward to cooler nights and fall foliage. Oh, and living in the suburbs, we can also look forward to raking leaves. Lots of leaves. There weren't many trees in Charlestown, so no leaves. We need a few more rakes. And leaf bags.
That's it for now, be safe, stay healthy, Live Long and Prosper, and May the Force be with You!