The Human Race

Every May for nearly a decade, I have participated and donated to the non-profit of my choice by walking or running in Santa Rosa's Human Race. "The Human Race is a nationwide community fundraising event for nonprofit organizations and is the largest collaborative fundraising event in Sonoma County as well as the largest Human Race in the nation!"

Last year was such an incredible year to participate. I was 6 months pregnant with Ruthie Lou and even though I was unable to run, I walked the 10k with her in my belly! I love races, runs, rides and triathlons and this was a way for the two of us to share something that I love so much. I walked with two friends, one of whom was expecting her third child and as we all took turns pushing her double stroller, we talked about all the things pregnant ladies do, our wishes, fears and dreams of what the future would hold for our growing families. I remember that day so perfectly, imagining events in the future that I would be pushing Ruthie Lou in her stroller and walking with me in years to come, as I knew we would continue to do these days together as she grew older. I will forever cherish the memory of that day and am so grateful to have had that experience with Ruthie Lou in my belly, it was such an innocent and loving day.

In my early years of doing this event, I would run the 10k with my best friend/dog Captain and whoever would else would join us and it always proved to be such a beautiful day. The greatest part about this event is that THOUSANDS of people participate, each with a non-profit organization that they have raised donations towards and that they are running or walking for. It feels like a magical day for the community to come together and support a cause that means so much to them.

Each year, I have chosen an organization that meant so much to me from the previous years experience, whether it has been the Humane Society the years since we adopted our dogs or the Cancer Society in years that cancer has touched the lives of my loved ones.

THIS YEAR, I AM SO PROUD TO RAISE DONATIONS TO BENEFIT THE GEORGE MARK CHILDREN'S HOUSE, RUTHIE LOU'S HOME.

As the Human Race 2012 approached, there was no question that we would be walking for the George Mark Children's House, Ruthie Lou's home. GMCH is our home now, our family, as they provided us with such care while Ruthie Lou was alive and continue to do so in the months since she left us. We visit there several times a month for counseling and remembrance ceremonies or events that they offer. There aren't any more words that I could use to describe my love for this house, the people who run it, the words of Ruthie Lou's life as I wrote in this journal, speak for itself. The 12 days we lived in our home as a family, were the most gutwrenchingly beautiful and best days of our life. We shared a lifetime of love as a family there, Ruthie Lou's lifetime. I will forever cherish the time we had there, the memories we were able to create and share, GMCH is Ruthie Lou's home and will forever be our home, as well.

​This years Human Race will be held on Ruthie Lou's TT Niki and Auntie Kayla's birthday, May 5th, making the day even more special. We will be meeting at Herbert Slater Middle School near the front entrance of the school at 7:30am. We have created a team for the Human Race this year to support Ruthie Lou's home and would love for you to participate with us in any way that you are able!

We have a "Team Ruthie Lou" page set up where you can either JOIN OUR TEAM and walk with us or DONATE to GMCH. Please visit http://www.humanracenow.org/goto/teamruthielou to be part of this beautiful day.

Thank you endlessly for continuing to support us, every act big or small and every gesture is so greatly appreciated. One day, I will have the time and emotional energy to send the stack of thank you cards that I have listed in my head, but until then please know that nothing goes unnoticed with us. We love the community that the life of our daughter created, the community that continues to hold us and that celebrates our little girl daily. I love having the opportunity to share her amazing life and celebrate Ruthie Lou as we will at the Human Race. We hope to see you there!