This past Saturday, April 24th, St. Louisians came out in full force to support the March of Dimes and walked for babies.  They walked for babies who were born too early, babies who were lost, babies who survived and thrived, babies not yet born.  In that large group of walkers was a small group walking in honor of a very special little girl.  In that large group of walkers was a special team, March for Maddie St. Louis.

When I started the March for Maddie St. Louis team a few months ago I figured there would maybe be two or three other people who may join me.  I figured we’d raise a couple of hundred dollars if we were lucky.  Then something amazing happened.  Others found our team through Heather Spohr’s blog and joined our team.  Together, the 8 of us (one wasn’t able to walk with us) raised an incredible $2690 for the March of Dimes in the name of Madeline Spohr.

As we met up, got to know each other and share stories it was so amazing to know that each of us had been touched and inspired by Maddie and by Heather and Mike.   We were each walking to support a family we had never met but who we felt like we knew and who we wanted to support, love and honor.  We were each walking to honor a little girl we had never had the pleasure of meeting but who filled our hearts that day.

The walk was amazing.  Like last year I was inspired by all the little kids walking wearing shirts declaring “I was a preemie, Look at me now!!!”  Seeing those kids, so big, so healthy, was a true testament to the amazing work that the March of Dimes is doing and the wonder that the money we raise for the cause by participating in events like the March for Babies can really do.  My friend Heather was walk with her daughter Claire who was born 6 weeks early.  Heather sported an adorable t-shirt with the weeks her two children were born at in hearts, 36 for her son Logan and 34 for her daughter Claire.

Maya had a great time on the walk.  And though she doesn’t get why were walking she understood it was for Maddie.  She loves Maddie and proudly wore her Friends of Maddie t-shirt.  The most amazing thing was that she wanted to bring her Maddie’s Monster (melted my heart).  She also brought her Abby doll, not knowing that it was one of Maddie’s favorites too

Walking for Maddie, walking for all babies, was an honor.  I can’t wait to do it again next year.

This is my favorite picture of the day, taken by my friend Heather.