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| Scott, Susan, Ben and Sarah |
On Saturday June 1st, Susan, Ben, Sarah and I were joined by over 150 Murray Machine family and friends in support of the Walk for ALS here in Georgetown.
As with our 2 previous walks, it threatened t-storms, but over 700 people showed up and that energy kept the rain away and the day was a smashing success! This was the 5th year of the walk in Georgetown, and including this year, we have raised over $900,000 for ALS...not bad for a community of 30,000! I exceeded my fundraising goal, thanks to all of you, and The Murray Machine will have raised over $50,000 when all the pennies are finished being counted! Wow!
A shout out to Dr. Jeff Sutherland and his wife, Darlene , who were instrumental in starting the walk in Georgetown. Jeff was diagnosed with ALS almost 6 years ago and our stories are eerily similar.
Many of our family and friends knew Jeff through his practice in Georgetown. Words can't convey how supportive they have been assisting us while fighting their own battle. As my Dad would say "just good east coasters"! Thank you Jeff and Darlene!
Again, our family has been touched and overwhelmed by the support and love provided by all. It was truly inspiring on walk day, at every turn, to see a family member, old friends, new friends, high school friends, work friends, neighbours and others we maybe didn't know, who stopped to offer a kind word.
My Aunt Joyce, Uncle Eric, cousins Aaron and Tony and Tony's wife and kids, Jen, Heather and Alexis, surprised us with their arrival from Calgary for the walk! It was great to have them all here.
So I leave you with this and some of our pictures..."out of the mouths of babes" as they say, a funny and heartbreaking chat we had with Sarah after the walk.
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| Sarah! |
That evening, after all had quieted down, I asked Sarah about the walk and the day, Susan was on her way down the stairs and stopped to listen...
Sarah said all those people were there to walk for ALS and help Daddy. All those people helping would make Daddy's ALS get better and Daddy would be able to go the park, go bike riding and bend down to hug and pick her up.
Susan and I smiled, took a deep breath, and hugged her.
That's the future we are fighting for. Our love to all!
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| old and young! |
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| old friends! |
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| The Murray 's |
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| Sister Pam and Owen |
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| Aunt Joyce and Uncle Eric |
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| the neighbors! |
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| Tony, Andrew, Marzena and Alex |
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| Jacqui, Taylor and Justin |
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| Cousins and 1 to come! |
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| Susan and her Mom |
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| Tony and Natalie Martino |
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| Uncles and Aunts |
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| Goalie and Paulie |
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| Tyler, Greg, Allie and Sarah Sinclair |
I tried to post earlier, but I don't think it worked (forgive me if this is my second comment). This is Stacey from MR.SUB. I was trying to reconnect with some of the old lunch bunch crew, and came across your blog through Google. First and foremost, I'm so sorry to hear about your ALS diagnosis. I admire your humour in dealing with what life has thrown your way. I have read some of your posts, and was touched, and made a resolve to be better today than I was yesterday. Scott, your family is beautiful, and you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May you continue to find joy in the little things through this journey, and continue to find things to laugh and smile about. Take care, Stacey (Smitty) Smith Keller
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