Briggs & Al's

“True charity is the desire to be useful to others without thought of recompense.”

So once again, this past Saturday, I had the pleasure of being a part of the Briggs & Al's Run & Walk to benefit Children's Hospital.  This is the 6th year that I have walked in this wonderful charity event in memory of my good friend's son Dakota, who passed away at the age of 8 years old.  Dakota had been born with heart problems and had relied on Children's Hospital many times over the years to help get him healthy and lead a normal life.  Anybody who hasn't been involved in something similar to this in their life should really stop and take the time to do it.  It is such a humbling event and to me an event that truly puts life into perspective as to what really matters.  For me it makes me hug my own children A LOT tighter and be thankful for the fact that I don't have to go through what so many of these families are obviously dealing with on a regular basis.  Whether it be childhoold cancer, birth defects, heart problems, etc. I can only imagine the struggles they face every single day.

Team Dakota at Briggs & Als Walk & Run 2011.

Every year the Briggs & Als charity event brings approximately 15,000 people together to raise money and awareness for the wonderful facility we have so close by, that being Children's Hospital.  Since they have been doing this event each year they have raised more than 12 million dollars for Children's Hospital.  It seriously is an overwhelming experience.  The starting line is on the Marquette College Campus and the walk takes you through downtown Milwaukee to the Summerfest grounds.

Our team starting our 3 mile walk.  Thousands of people all around us.

Many thoughts run through a person's mind when taking part in such an event.  I'll share some of mine with you.

1)  In my case, as we are walking in memory of my good friend, Stacy's, son, I often wonder how she finds the strength to go on each and every day and look up to her as inspiration.  See, when Stacy lost her son, Dakota, she was a single mother and he was her only child.  I lost my little Adam, but I had two other kids at the time and a spouse to give me reason to go on each day.  I know it was extremely difficult for her and thank goodness she had a strong support system to hold her up, but I'll never forget her strength and also how much she has supported me over the years.  I do believe it is true that God brings certain people into your life for a reason.  He made her and I friends to lean on and count on over the course of the last few years.







My friend Stacy holding her little niece, Paige, and her sister, Kelly.

2)  There are so many teams that walk each year as I recognize them and the names and pictures from year to year.  Most teams have pictures of the child they are walking for, whether that child is a survivor or whether that child has already gone to Heaven.  I'm curious to know their stories and there is an instant feeling of compassion in my heart for any little ones I see and their families walking for them.  The daily hardships and decisions they must face are for sure gut wretching and some of the biggest struggles they will ever face.

3)  Thankful.  I feel so thankful that there are still many generous and caring people in this world willing to take time out of their busy schedules and walk for such a wonderful cause and who care about the happiness of others. 

Every single year I question myself before the actual walk and think "Gosh, I have so many other things I could be doing around the house or with my family" and debate not doing it.  But then I quickly slap myself up and remind myself of the importance of it, not only to be there for my good friend, Stacy, but for those gorgeous and innocent children and their families.

I shed a few tears every single year I am a part of it for all of the reasons combined that I mention above.  The experience truly hits a lot of nerves for me and emotions are high during the 3 mile walk.  In addition to all of these wonderful reasons to walk, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous as well.

Even little Lukas insisted on walking almost the entire 3 miles himself this year.  I think he was a tad tired at the end but I think even he knew at the ripe old age of almost 3 the importance of what he was doing.