9 babies. Weighing in at just under 2 lbs to just over 6 lbs. 13 weeks early to 4 weeks early. All in our immediate families (aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings).
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This will be the 6th time we've gotten up on a Saturday morning in April and headed to a park. Or a zoo. Or a trail. It never gets any less personal or any less emotional. We've always started off with a cry. Listened to another family tell their story. About how their baby (or babies) was born too soon. About how they feared the worst. About how they cried. And prayed. Some rode in helicopters and some didn't know for days. All endured. And held their breath. And counted the ounces gained, heart rates dropped, days in the NICU. And their baby made it. Their baby is now 2. 4. 6. 9 years old. Most years we release balloons. Or doves. To remember those who did not survive prematurity.
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Then we start off together. Walking in a circle. Or walking there and back. This year it will be 5 lovely miles. And everyone has a connection to this. Their baby. Their patient. Their sister, niece, nephew, friend, grandchild. Had a baby prematurely or had a full-term baby who should have been healthy. But wasn't. Some got steroids, some got surfactant, some got inhaled nitric oxide, some got parent support. All benefitted.
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6 years ago we were afraid. We were engulfed. We were crying every. single. night. Because our babies were so small. Because our babies were born too soon. Our babies were in the intensive care unit where we had to sign in and out and show picture ID to see our babies and we had to talk in whispers and had to wash our hands while we sang the ABCs and had to ask questions like "how many times did his heart rate drop?" and "how blue was she though?". And had to fear the middle of the night phone call.
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On Saturday April 24th, we'll walk together for the 6th time. This is the March of Dimes biggest fundraisers of the year. Walk with us won't you? Can't walk? Donate to support by clicking on the link of the left side of the page.
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