I am a mother of two. While it is not too often I answer this way when queried by strangers (‘oh, he’s so cute—how old is he? Is he your only?’), the fact remains, I am a mother of two.
Wesley Everitt Stephen is my rambunctious little two-year-old, and the second of my two babies. My first was a little girl, Peyton Olivia, who was born, and passed away, on January 15, 2006.
The complete shock and crippling grief gave way to a purpose, which came to fruition May 14, 2006, just four months after Peyton passed away--my first Mother’s Day as a mom, albeit without my baby girl.
That day saw a group of family and friends, aptly named Team Peyton, get together to walk and run as part of the
Forzani Group Foundation’s Mother’s Day Run and Walk. The event turned out to be kismet, as 2006 marked the first year funds were appropriated to Calgary NICU and Special Care Nurseries.
That first inaugural run saw our Team raise $8500 in the name of our baby girl, honouring not only her, but motherhood in all it’s complicated glory.
Yesterday, Team Peyton (24 members strong) once again laced up their runners, slathered on the sunscreen, and walked (and ran!) their 4th year, raising another $6900 in the process.
Funds were once again (and every year since 2006) directed towards the Special Care Nurseries and NICU’s, an area to which Team Peyton has proudly contributed more than $25,000 to in the last 4 years.
So as my son sat proudly in his stroller donning his ‘NICU Graduate Class of 2007’ t-shirt (Wesley spent two weeks in the NICU, and came home Mother's Day 2007), the walk got underway--Yes, I walked, and while my mom and father-in-law took turns pushing Wesley in his stroller, I used it as an excuse not to run for the 4th straight year. A repeat of ponderances past, maybe next year...
The site of the crowd was inspiring, and I couldn’t help but look around at all the men, women and children celebrating motherhood—their own, their friend’s, their sister’s, their mom’s.
Many had their baby’s NICU survival stories taped to their shirts, jackets and strollers, worn and displayed like badges of honour. Some, like us, had stories of heartbreak, and walked in honour of lost babies, like Jennifer Norman, who lost her beautiful son Zachary this past January at the Foothills NICU. Donned in bright yellow shirts (‘his color’, Jennifer commented smiling), the team of 17 helped a grieving mom celebrate her son’s short life.
Some walked to honour the loss of their good friend’s daughter, all the while silently (and valiantly) grieving the September loss of their own son, Brayden Michael.
(Thank-you Mike & Jennica.)
And many more ran and walked in support of babies yet to be born, who will soon come to know and appreciate the care and services that some of the money raised will provide.
It was a beautiful day, filled with sunshine, love and life, the energy of which was all around. For those who hit the pavement running, congrats on your 5km and 10km triumphs! For those who walked, talked, and laughed their way to the finish line, thanks for the camaraderie and for making it another one for the books.
And to all of our friends and family who continue to amaze us with their level of support, love, effort and care, we couldn’t ask for a better act of remembrance, or better people to continue to share this with. Our success is inherent to all, and our hearts runneth over.
Happy Mother’s Day indeed.