Greater Boston Walk!

Today we went to the Greater Boston Autism Speaks walk. John did not come with us, neither did Julia. They got to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa Cycle, being extremely spoiled! They went to IHOP for breakfast, then they went to church, then the "popcorn place" or what everyone else might call it the 99. (John has been calling the popcorn place for about a year now... well because you always get popcorn with your meal... and John LOVES popcorn!)

We got to the walk bright and early at about 7:15am, well before the 10:30am start time. We volunteer for the Grand Club, myself, my husband Andrew, and my brother Andy have put this on for the last two years! It's a TON of work but worth every second, getting to personally thank every person that has raised over $1,000 (hence "GRAND Club" yes I've been doing this for two years and I just today got that "Grand" was because they raised a grand and not because they did a "grand" job, yes I guess I'm a little slow on the uptake lol)

We handed out our thank you bags and the special pins for 3 plus hours. We thanked everyone we could, met some amazing people, and as always got overwhelmed with all the emotions I feel every year. Happy that I'm not in the alone, that other people get it, they really and truly get what the autism diagnosis and living with and autistic child means. Sad that other people have to deal with what we deal with on a daily bases. Mad that crowd of newly diagnosed children grows every year, Every year we see the scared parents walking in, not knowing what to expect, not knowing if they will be excepted, whether their child or children will be excepted, not knowing if they will have to explain the actions. Every year you see the relief they feel and you see them relax. You hear the "lost kid" calls and don't get the dirty looks you would anywhere else because every knows, most have been there. We wouldn't judge. You see the info stickers on the kids backs just for this reason, you see the pec boards, sign language, service dogs, weight vests, and the best thing ever lots and lots of balloons and bubbles! 

It's a day to celebrate our kids, to realize your part of a special club, a club no one wanted a membership to but were going to make a the best of the membership since we have it! Some day I hope to bring John to the walk with me, when he is a little older and he will be able to enjoy it, for now he enjoyed his special Grandma and Grandpa Cycle day! And Andrew and I really enjoyed a day for us to recharge our batteries and spend some time together while giving back to cause so near and dear to our hearts!