Last year we missed the Alzheimer's Association walk. I was a little overwhelmed with having just moved in with Mom and finding out I was pregnant. I didn't want to participate if we couldn't do it the best we could and ended up skipping the walk. This year was very different! I began thinking about the Walk months in advance. I knew that we would soon be facing changes with our living situation once again due to Mom's slipping farther into the holds of Alzheimer's. The walk meant something different to me this year. In the past my focus has been on representing a strong front for Mom, showing her that we stand with her and are fighting for her. Although this year all of that was very present for me I was also very aware of the fact that Mom isn't getting better. There will be no cure found in time to save her. That made it all the more important to me to help raise whatever awareness and money we could to help find a cure for the next victims. It could be me, my brothers or my children who find ourselves the next victims. Our world with Mom was so much out of our hands, her actions, her eating, her attitude, her movements that I was in a desperate need to do something.. anything to help fight Alzheimer's! I resurrected our Team Miles for Molly and was overwhelmed with the response and support we recieved. With the help family team members, especially Patrick we were able to raise the most money for Amarillo's walk. Our total came to $ , more than any other family team of cooperate team in the area. Although we were just happy for all the teams involved we were completely thrilled to have Miles for Molly announced as the top team and share the pride and love we have for our Mom. Not only were we humbled by the amount of money raised we were overwhelmed by the number of family members we had join us this year! We had our whole Amarillo crew including Nana, Aunt Tammy, Kelsey, Neeley, Lane, Norah and Merritt, Doss and Charlotte in addition to Drew, Everett, Haven and myself. Patrick and Taren drove in from Dallas. Pat, Paula, Stetson, Rebecca, Taylor, and their kids also came in from Ft. Worth. Cindy, Matt, Tenell and her boyfriend were there to join us as well! We had friends from church who love Mom come out to walk with our team. It was such a great time to bring awareness to this horrible disease that has claimed too many victims including my Hero. We had moved Mom into a nursing facility a few weeks before the walk. I was very emotional at the walk because I remembered it was just a few years ago that Mom stood up in front of the crowd holding a blue flower which represented someone living with Alzheimer's and vowed to fight this disease for all those suffering thinking of others and not of herself. I had hoped we could push Mom in a wheelchair this year, I knew she wouldn't have the energy to walk the whole way. When Patrick and Taren went to pick up Mom from her home she was very agitated and wouldn't leave with them so we decided it was better she just stay there. It was a heartbreaking decision for me, I desperately wanted her to be apart of this and to feel the love and support around her but ultimately it was the best decision for her. This year Patrick held the yellow flower which represented the caregiver because he has been such an incredible support for Mom and I though there have many miles between us. I am so grateful to everyone who participated with us this year either through donations or joining us in the walk. It was such an amazing year and time to rally and support my Mom!
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