|
|
This is a story I posted on MapMyWalk.com that I wanted to share with everyone here
My grand mother had passed away May 20, 2008. Mary only had 1 sister but she had 12 children and over 100 combined grand children and great grandchildren and even has a few little ones on the way. She was married but my grandpa had passed away when my mom was about 8 years old (not sure exactly when but I know it was close to that age) so my grandma raised all 12 children all by herself.
Her passing was a difficult time in our lives and being only a year past even harder. But in her memory I had decided I was going to organize a walk for the whole family to do whether near or far. Once I had made that decision I cried because I realized only a few nights before I had a dream that grandma was alive and some of the family was going for a walk with her she was smiling a big smile. We were all so happy and missing spending time together like that the way we used to in the old days, then I called my mom and told her my plan and she agreed it was a great idea.
I am not sure if anyone else had a trained for the 6.5km walk that was only just over a month away but I had to because I was pregnant and had to make sure that I was limber enough to walk that day. I took advantage of mapmywalk.com and did a challenge to walk 160.93km in 30 days and surpassed that goal by a 2km or so by the end of the challenge, I was so proud especially since I was in my second trimester of my pregnancy and was feeling great. Thank you MapMyWalk for helping me prepare for this walk!
Alot of my family was on facebook so I created a global event and told everyone that where ever they are to plan a walk and walk in her memory at 11:00am on May 31, 2009. I am not sure how all the other walks went but the one in my city turned out great.
I didn't only plan a walk, at the end of our walk was a big park with fire pits and picnic tables and we were going to have a picnic when we were done. I had also planned on doing a 50/50 raffle and select 2 winners to split the pot. I also had prizes to give away. As well as a crafted picture of my grandma made by me with the help of my 10 year old daughter with a purple and blue theme. I planned on giving everyone a picture at the end of the walk.
By walk day I had 33 names on my list of all that was coming on the walk but I was not sure how many would actually show up. We had a late start leaving at 11:30am but I had 22 people show up more than I had expected. I was such a wonderful walk and everyone was so happy and smiling the whole time, it was a great feeling to be together like that. �We took lots of pictures, there were cherry blossum trees at the beginning of our walk that were so beautiful. We took a break half way and rested for a few minutes, refilled our water, some of the kids got icecream and some people had a snack then we were on our way again.
But this doesn't stop here. We are going to be holding this same walk and picnic every year on the same day (but maybe I will plan it on a Saturday next time instead of Sunday). Everyone is excited and can't wait until next year.
Lady Lisa
|
|
|
|
|
|