I can't even find the right words to describe how proud I am of both my wife Jackie, and my daughter, Heather, who on Sunday morning, step-for-step, walked side-by-side for 13.1 miles along the Boston Marathon course to support the Jimmy Fund and help fight the insidious disease cancer.
This year, more than any of the previous years that Jackie made the voyage, was a special one, because she wasn't able to walk with her usual walking buddy, her sister, Annie, who's laid up at Brigham and Women's Hospital waging a very personal battle against leukemia. She's kicking its ass, but was on the sidelines for this year's trek, so Heather stepped up to the plate.
Here's my two heroes - the leaders of Annie's Army, at the walk's start at Babson College in Wellesley, all smiles, as usual
Legends of the Boston Marathon course - my wife, daughter, and Johnny Kelly.
While the girls walked, Andrew and I headed to the finish, and then ran out to meet the wicked cool walkers along the course. Here's Andrew on one of his least favorite and most painful stretches of the Boston Marathon course. Looking much better on this outing.
And then, in Brooline, boom! There they are, joined now by Jackie's cousins, Cheryl and Judy Cook (same last name, but no relation to the Cook side of this marriage)
Fueling stations along the course speak volumes not just about the walkers, but about the millions of men and women fighting the courageous fight against cancer.
You can't miss their colors on the course
Stories like that of 5-year-old Brennan, who when he grows up, wants to be Superman. You're already there, Brennan.
Cannot possibly say enough about the army of volunteers along the course. Super friendly, super helpful and committed to the cause. Hip, hip, hooray for the volunteers!
A picture worth a thousand words
And another sticker for my baby girl
Meanwhile out on the course, our good buddy Christine Cole is logging her own crazy trek! Christine and her buddy Aimee walked the ENTIRE Boston Marathon course, starting the day in Hopkinton at 6 a.m.! Yikers! Here's a couple of courtesy pictures from her with her team!
As anybody who runs the Boston Marathon can attest, the Citgo sign means the end is near, right? Wrong! You stare at the damn thing for what seems like miles!
Don't ask
So proud of both the kids, who inspire me on a daily basis
The two buds, getting ready to wrap it up. Right on Hereford, left on Boylston
Heading to the finish, Jackie can do this with her eyes closed!
Welcome to Boston - where some finish lines just mean more than others
The whole team at the finish line
The fantastic four Cook ladies wrap it up together
Cutest damhn walker on the course!
Yeah, not quite sure what I can say about a giant Adirondack chair at the finish, but hey, it made for a funky finish line photo. Andrew wants to get one for his room at Holy Cross
Again, huge praise for the Jimmy Fund and the work the organization does all year long for people who seriously need their help. We'll keep on doing this walk - and many others like it - every year that we can raise money to help fight this stinking disease. Thanks also to everyone who takes part in ANY kind of fund-raiser during the course of a year to help fight this battle.
Anyone who still wants to make a donation can visit the Jimmy Fund Walk's page, type in Cook in the name field up top, and go to a member of Annie's Army link within:
And finally, a photo from last year's walk, the reason Annie's Army stays on the march - heal up, Annie, we're counting on you rejoining us out there next year!
1 comment:
Hats off to Jackie, Heather and everyone who walked to show their love and support but most of all to Annie for fighting, persevering and inspiring all of us in the process.
Post a Comment