Tomorrow we walk. Tomorrow we remember our Sophia, who was taken from us far, far too early and tragically. Tomorrow we honor the strength, health, and fantastic progress Evelyn has made since her premature birth. Tomorrow is a day to count our blessings, remember the journey which we have walked, and nurture the hope we have that our story (and our continued contributions of money and time to March of Dimes) will one day help at least one baby, one child, one family.
We know we are beyond blessed to have met Sophia before she passed. We are even more fortunate to have beaten many odds set against us (and Evelyn). Unlike many who faced difficult pregnancies with dismal prognoses, we begin each morning with her goofy squishy-faced smiles and end each day with her warm snuggles. We never take for granted her presence in our family. We are too keenly aware how very different our lives could be without the help of our NICU family.
When we participate in the March for Babies, we never set out to raise a certain amount of money (aside from the low amount we are forced to set on the website). We don’t care about the incentive gifts for each money goal reached. More importantly, this walk helps give us a chance to talk about our girls and give them the love and admiration they deserve. This gives us a chance to take in the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and other relatives and supporters who have had similar journeys to ours. Walking together, feeling the humming desire to find solutions to premature birth and birth defects, is exciting, energizing, and ultimately the self-serving reason I look forward to this event. Thank you to those who have donated to our Team Sophia and Evelyn. Aside from our own enjoyment of spreading the word and sharing camaraderie with those who understand our struggles, the family and friends who donated in our girls’ honor have not gone unnoticed. This gesture of love and support will buoy us through each step we take tomorrow.
For more information on the March for Babies, and Team Sophia and Evelyn, including our story, please visit my page.
We look forward to updating all our supporters and cheerleaders as we complete the March for Babies!
Laura Gaddis 