1st Annual Joshua Newman 5K

After months of planning by so many wonderful people, the First Annual Joshua Newman 5K Run/Walk took place today.


Lining up at the Start Line

  The mood was festive with a twinge of sadness.  Noone could be more proud than I am of the group of volunteers who set up tables, manned water stations, cheered folks on, and set up.  The National Anthem was sung by our sweet neighbor who truly sounded like an angel.

Natalie & Jenna - Joshua's classmates

We welcomed Team Jeff....those who loved Jeff Beaupre, a 40 year old father of two lost to SUDEP in February 2012. Jeff's wife helped us introduce Lucas, an adorable four year old who is this year's first recipient of an Emfit Seizure monitor system from this year's  5k proceeds. 

Joshua's friend, John, read Joshua's bio which was heart warming, and then it was time for us to speak...my heart was racing, and my voice faltered at times, but we made it through. 

Here are the highlights of our words, along with some photos of this incredible event in Joshua's memory.

"We would like to thank

·  Danny Did Foundation

 · The Joshua Newman 5K Planning Committee

Thank you all for your endless energy, and open arms.When Josh died, we were afraid for a little while that people would forget Josh.  You all have made us realize that could never happen, and have helped us try to turn heartbreak into something good.  Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and unending support. 



Today we are here to celebrate a sweet and ornery boy who touched our lives to the very core. His death brought epilepsy to the forefront, and made us hug our kids and each other more tightly.



We know Joshua “never knew a stranger” and we are in awe at how many lives he touched in his short but so colorful life!

Thanks to your overwhelming response we would like to introduce you to the first recipient of seizure equipment from today’s proceeds, and to help us do this, I’d like to invite Allison Austin (wife of Jeff Beaupre)to the front."

Hugs were given throughout the course as we chatted and walked with our friends and family. 

The perfect balloon art....an angel!

In the end, hearts were warm even though fingers and toes were freezing.  Lots of Josh stories were shared.... it was just so great to talk about Joshie again.  Oh, how I miss the boy!

Hugs,
Sherri




 
 

Perserverance

We are heading down to the second Angelversary of Joshua’s death.  Just writing that brings tears to my eyes.  Two years ago today we were attending soccer games, school activities, and threatening three kids who were always tormenting one another...a gloriously normal life.

Two years and one week from now, I was sitting in a hospital room listening to the surgeon talk about cancer surgery with my dear friend who had gone to the ER with stomach pains the day before.   She has persevered through numerous treatments, surgeries, side effects and two years later,  not only continues her valiant fight against stage 4 Colon cancer but remains a dear  supportive friend.   She is my hero!

Two years and two weeks from now, life came crashing down around us as we faced life without Josh.  The first year was stuck between disbelief, shock and utter despair at the same time….alot of the year escapes my memory.  The second year has been just as painful, but with a twist of introspective healing.  The one word that keeps coming to mind is Perseverance.

Perseverance:  A steady will to complete a task in spite of any obstacles before you.

Perseverance is inspirational.   Hearing about those who have gone through the valley of the shadow of death and come out on the other side gives me hope.  I have been truly lifted up by others going through “life”.    

In two weeks our friends and family will walk the Joshua Newman Memorial 5K Walk/Run for Epilepsy and SUDEP awareness.  Perseverance will hopefully show up again as we walk with over 130 people, give hugs, and remember my sweet ornery son.

Hugs,
Sherri

P.S. We would love to see you on November 24th.  For Information please go to Dannydid.org.

When a 5K is named after your son

It's really happening.....the 1st Annual Joshua Newman Memorial 5K Run/Walk.  Two of Joshua's classmates wanted to organize this event for their Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve because they were so deeply affected by the loss of their classmate, neighbor and friend.  Several neighbors had been holding a casual after Thanksgiving 5K run and together with our girl scouts they approached Brad and I for permission to make this an event to honor Josh and raise SUDEP awareness.

Our response was an immediate and unanimous yes! We truly feel we want to do what we can so another parent/loved one doesn't walk in and find their sweet ones lost to SUDEP.  We could walk away and live our lives as they are, but dear God how can we?  This is such a devastating thing to live through...it will be part of our day to day lives for the next 30+ years...I do not want another family trying to live through this.

Let's just get it out in the open...no matter how awesome and meaningful the event, it is strange to see my child's name on a memorial event.  I would much rather have him here as only a funny neighborhood boy everyone knows and waves to.  I'd would much rather ask him if he would like to walk with me around the block, or in the Shenandoah instead of coordinating efforts to organize a walk to raise awareness to the challenges of epilepsy.

 

It has truly helped  me to see friends and family take the event flyers and share our event with their friends.  The love they show is incredible.  I keep saying that we are doing this because of  Love!  We love Josh!!!  We love him so much that even after his death, we want to do something special for him.

During a sad moment, I even reached out to an old hometown acquaintance who has a lot more experience in advocacy as a result of surviving a devastating loss.  As busy as he is, he took the time to respond to my note, for which I am so grateful....hearing from him made me feel better, and the end of his note, answered my heart...Here's the end of his note....

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

Thanks, I needed that.....

Please join us for the Joshua Newman Memorial 5K Run/Walk..  I will be there as the official hugger!!
http://www.events.org/Newman5k/cpage.aspx?e=47519


Hugs!
Sherri