Thinking Back

This year will be my fifth time walking in the March for Babies event in Dallas. It's funny how my thoughts and emotions regarding this day have evolved over the years. Thinking back to 2009, I wasn't sure what to expect. After all, it had only been nine short months since we'd lost our second born son, Nash, to an undiagnosed heart defect. At the time, we were treading water; struggling to breathe, as we waded through some very deep grief. When my dear friend suggested we walk in memory of Nash, I remember thinking, "We can't get him back. We can't change what's happened. But we can do this. We can honor and remember our little boy." And so the first chapter of our March For Babies experience had begun.

In the months and days leading up to the March, I wasn't quite sure how our story fit in with the March of Dimes. From what I knew, the organization did a lot for premature babies and their families. My son was born at 39 weeks, healthy as could be... or so we thought. But after learning more about it, I found that the bottom line, when it came to MOD was: they help save babies. Through funding and research, they give babies the chance to live long and happy lives. I found out that in addition to prematurity, the March of Dimes uses this same funding and research to understand and battle infant mortality. Bingo. Now I had a fantastic organization, a connection to its mission, and a little boy's memory to share.

As the March grew closer, I became nervous as to whether or not this was the right thing to be doing. I kept going through the motions of getting ready for the day - fundraising, getting our t-shirts with Nash's name on the back, organizing my little group of walkers. The questions running through my mind were neverending. Would I be able to hold myself together for five entire miles without succumbing to a complete breakdown? Am I really strong enough to do this?

On the morning of the March in 2009, I was completely overwhelmed. We had about 15 people walking with us, through a misty, cold rain. I tried hard to hold it together. My feelings were all over the place...proud that we could do something in Nash's memory... blessed that we had raised so much money and received so much support from our family and friends... yet angry that I had a reason to be at the March in the first place... and scared that I would have to face this reality everyday for the rest of my life. As we walked the five miles, I just remember hoping that Nash was proud of us for what we were doing. My worries faded as we got to the finish, and I knew that we had done what we had set out to do.

The day Nash died, my husband and I vowed that even though he was only here for five months, we would do all we could to keep his memory alive. He had purpose. He was here for a reason. And maybe, just maybe, by helping the March of Dimes save babies, we can save families from our heartbreak. That evening, I wrote on my personal blog (www.bradandtracysievers.blogspot.com): I look forward to next year... By walking in this March, it feels like I am still "taking care" of my little boy. I am showing him that he mattered when he was here and he matters now.

***** Please use the comment section to share with us your first experience walking in the March For Babies. What were your feelings and emotions? What were your expectations? How did the day turn out? And for first time walkers, could you share what you're feeling as you get ready to walk for the very first time? We'd love to hear your stories...

March for Babies 2012 Slideshow

Enjoy Family Team photos from March for Babies 2012--thank you for making this another great year!

Thanks to our Top Family Team Walkers and our Top Family Teams for an excellent job with fundraising this year!  We truly appreciate your time and efforts to make the 2012 March for Babies the best ever for Family Teams!

Top 10 Family Team Walkers:
(in alphabetical order)

Kori Bailey
Paul and Jean Bailey
Chad Collom
Grace Green
Kristen McConnell
Natalie Pegg
Kara Price
Karen and Jack Rynes
Tracy Sievers
Jonathan Stuhl

Top 10 Family Teams:
(in alphabetical order)

Beck POWER Walkers
Cinco
Early Babies
Frisco Baby Steps
Heart's Content
Plano NICU Parents
Running for Aidan
Team Grace - Dallas
Team Soren
Team Truman

Great job!!

2012 Family Teams Video

Thanks to our Family Team Sponsors!!

We have so many people to thank as we close out this 2012 March for Babies campaign!

First, I would like to thank Rogers-O'Brien Construction, Baker Triangle, and JE Dunn for joining forces to be our Family Teams Tent Sponsors.  Not only did they sponsor the tent, they also volunteered in the tent on walk day.  We really appreciate the support of these three companies and their employees!

Big thanks goes out to Atmos Energy for sponsoring the 2012 Path of Hope.  These signs are so special to family teams and we truly appreciate your sponsorship of the most meaningful part of the March for Babies walk route!

We would also like to thank Marine Max and McAllister's for sponsoring the food in the Family Teams Tent this year.  I know all of our teams enjoyed eating a meal after the 5 mile walk.  We appreciate your support for such a worthy cause!

Thanks to Central Market for providing fruit and Walgreens for providing bubbles and stocking the diaper changing station with supplies.

We would also like to thank our Family Teams Photographers, Daniel Simpson and Nicole Acevedo from Focus Photography for taking pictures this year and compiling a Family Teams Video.  We really appreciate you volunteering your services and capturing those special moments on walk day!

It takes an army to run the Family Teams Tent and we could not do it without the generosity of these companies.  Thanks to you all for your sponsorships and support of March of Dimes and our annual event March for Babies!