Run For a Wish 2015

Just a month before Noah died we were asked to appear in an article in our local newspaper, to help promote a new run in Launceston - Run For a Wish.   We were more than happy to do it, as Noah had received a wish from Make a Wish, and we knew what a great organisation it was, and how much hope it brought to children and their families.  Four years ago we took part in the first ever Run For a Wish with Aaron just a few week after Noah passed away.

I used to be a gym junkie, but after Aaron passed away my priorities changed dramatically, as life of a single Mum set in and I no longer found exercising fun or relaxing, especially as I had to go back to work, and couldn't spend my mornings at the gym with my friends.  

Instead it just stressed me out as I tried to fit exercise in, as it took so much time out of my days, which were now so long, but so short at the same time.  I've been very slack and hardly do any exercise anymore, so even thinking about running wears me out!

Running to me is considered the worst form of torture.  As a child and teenager I was actually a good long distance runner, but as an adult I absolutely hate it.  But since taking part in the first Run for a Wish, we have made sure that we do it every year as a family. Every year I struggle and say I'm going to get fit for the following year but it never happens, so about a month ago, I started panicking when I realised that Run for a Wish was coming back up very soon.

Last week we ran in our fourth Run for a Wish, and as usual it was a beautiful day. It was so nice to have so many friends and family running with us again.   Mum was a gun and came along this year, despite having a broken arm. It's finally healing up but is still very sore, so I didn't expect her to run at all. She did the whole 6.4 km!

Every year we take helium balloons to release at the start, and every year I feel terrible because I have lots of little kids that we don't know, coming up to me to get a balloon, but I don't have enough as I just bring them for our family and friends.

 

Poor Jay wasn't feeling very well, but came along and ran anyway.

Harri absolutely loves running and takes it very seriously. He was keen to beat his time from last year. 

And we're off!

The first year or two Kobe pretty much walked the whole way, but last year he ran a lot, so this year he was keen to run as much as he could. He did such a good job, and only stopped now and then to walk a little. I was glad he was my running buddy as he's slow and steady.  About half way around he said 'where's Simone!?' when he realised my friend Simone wasn't there for the first time. She was on a special family holiday with her family. 

Kobe has been asking me a lot of questions about Aaron and Noah lately, as he can't remember them very much.  The other day he asked me if I knew that Noah was going to be disabled when he was born.  As he was running, I kept telling him how proud Dad would've been of him, and he gave me the biggest smile. He makes me so proud as he's been through so much in his short little life, but just gets on with it as best he can.

My sister in law Steph pushed my nephew Ezra in the pram the whole way, and then let him out to walk over the finish line. He cracked us up as all he wanted was 'Mummy!' as he kept yelling at her to pick him up.  It was nice to have my brother Eden run it for the first time.

He was so cute at the end, giving everyone high fives!

I was so glad when it was over - 6.4 km felt like 64! Here's hoping I'll be fitter next year! ;)

After every Run for a Wish we have gone to Maccas for lunch, so Simone kept texting me saying how she was sad to miss our traditional Maccas lunch afterwards.   It was McHappy Day too which was nice, as we also spent a lot of time at Ronald McDonald House over the years, so we didn't feel too guilty about having a burger and chips for a good cause.

The run raised over $30,000 for Make a Wish which is wonderful.  I know what a difference it will make to not only a child, but to a families life.  We still talk about Noah's wish and Kobe gets very sad to know that he wasn't alive then, so he wasn't a part of it.  If only we could make another wish to bring Aaron and Noah back.