Austism Walk/Run Lehi, UT

The great thing about sister's is we know everything about each other. Tina doesn't know I logged onto her blog to do a post. This is Cherie. Last Saturday my Mom, Dad, Brookie and myself had the opportunity to participate in the first Autism 1 mile walk and 5k run in Lehi, Utah. We pinned pictures of Kara on our shirts for the race.
Saturday morning was a very windy, cold morning. The sun was out but oh boy it was cold. My parents and Brookie did the 1 mile walk. My parents said Brookie did great on her first "race", Brookie walked the whole 1 mile. :)
I started out on my run confident and happy. The wind was blowing right up on me as I ran, the wind was a blowin'! While running I kept thinking of my beautiful niece Kara and how hard she has to work every day to communicate and be heard. I continued to think of sweet Tina and Dan, they go through so much on a daily, hourly basis with Kara. These thoughts kept me running, I didn't stop. I ran the whole 3 miles, I couldn't stop running....Kara does not get to stop or give up. Neither does Tina and Dan. I haven't run that far since 2008 when we did a Triathleon for Kara at the Jordanelle in Utah.
This race was an amazing time. I was uplifted by the cause and motivated even more to help others become aware and understand Autism.
I want to tell Tina and Dan how much I love them! I appreciate their strength, wisdom, ability to stand back up when things go wrong, their love for Kara and Kaleb. I love, love, love, love my Kara! Kara is a beautiful, BEAUTIFUL girl. I love her blue, blue eyes. And Kara's sweet brother Kaleb is so good to her and takes care of her. Kara is so blessed and lucky to be with her family. They love her dearly and it shows.
Thanks Tina for letting us know about this fundraiser! I know Mom and Dad also enjoyed the walk, it was an emotionally, uplifting time for them too.
Love you!!!!!!!
Cherie

My husband is a student at Harvard and passed this article along. It is about Vaccinations.

https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/sitnflash/html_archives/sitnflash-201003b.html

The Special Mother

I saw this and immediately thought of you :)
Germaine

My friend sent this to me a couple of weeks ago! It was sweet and it made me cry.

The Special Mother

by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."
"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But has she patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."
"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has her own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"
"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".
"And what about her Patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."