Using My Words to Say Thank You

Somehow, in the midst of a time when people can barely scrape together enough for their mortgage payments, I raised money for the March of Dimes. When I set up my account (being the optimist that I am), I got a little nutty and aimed for a $1000. Hey, why not? But I really only expected about $100. But reality and the pure goodness of people have met me right in the middle.

As of today, I have raised $430 $5o5 $515 $565.

To me? That’s a LOT.

And who do I have to thank for this? Blogging friends, Twitter friends, online friends (some whom I’ve never meet “in real life”), then “in real life” friends (some whom I haven’t seen in years) and family (some whom I haven’t seen in years).

Also, after a round of “shot in the dark” emails to companies I shop at in my neighborhood to see if they would sponsor me, I heard back from one company right away. Who was it? Stride Rite. They said they would donate a pair of Robeez to a donor if I wanted to set up a contest. So I did on Twitter that very day. Whoever made the first donation, got a pair of Robeez. Within a half hour, I had a couple donors and the first donor won the pair. The Stride Rite representative was surprised by the quick response. But I wasn’t. Maddie’s story and this March of Dimes walk had the ear of mothers all over the Internet. But still, how appropriate that Stride Rite “stepped up” to help donate to a walk for the March of Dimes? Thanks to Stride Rite for caring about this cause.

So, I am gearing up for Saturday. I am hauling the whole Morningside family along. We will be there to meet up with the rest of the “Friends of Maddie” donning what purple I can scrape up for the boys (jeez, do I even have any purple for my boys?) and hoping that the combined 80+lbs of my kids on our stroller won’t be the end of my husband and I after 5 miles.

But while I gripe about pushing all that boy through the streets of Tampa, I have to remember that I have big, healthy, strong boys. When I was lifting my monster sized 40 lb two year old the other day, this thought crossed my mind: “Maddie never even had the chance to get this big.” So. 80lbs on stroller? I’ll relish it. I’ll push them (and all of their guaranteed fussing about “when is this gonna be over?”) and I will do it proudly. I honestly can’t wait.

So thank you to all of my donors. From the bottom of my heart.

(Oh, and it isn’t too late to donate. Just click on the banner above. I’m just saying…)