As many of you know, the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart campaign has become kind of a big deal in our family. Just a month or two after Jeremy's passing, Owen's school sent home a flyer announcing their participation in the fundraiser. All month long, the kids would be learning about ways to keep their heart healthy, and at the end of the month they would all participate in an hour long "jump-a-thon". They would also have the opportunity to collect donations in support of the American Heart Association which would then be used to benefit medical research and assist children with special hearts.
I immediately called Owen in to look at the flyer with me. He was hesitant at first. I'm not sure he had ever jump roped before in his life. But as I began to explain that his daddy was just like these children who needed help - born with a special heart, in need of a surgery, or other medical care - I could see the wheels start turning in his head. We sat down together, and he dictated a message that I then emailed out to everyone we knew.
It felt so good, in those first few weeks of our grief, to find something we could actually DO. We spent time in the evenings learning and then practicing his jump rope skills, and watched our emails as the donations started coming in. We never could have imagined the incredible response from our friends and family! By the end of the month, Owen had raised just over $2,000! He was ecstatic! His school raised more that year then ever before, and he raised the most of any student in school history as well. A couple of months later, Owen was awarded a medal and certificate at a school assembly, and he received lots of goodies from the American Heart Association, including a Razor Scooter. He was over the moon!
As amazing as our experience with Jump Rope for Heart was last year, 2013 was even better! In February, Owen's school started the campaign again. Our house was buzzing with jump-rope talk and activity. One night over dinner Owen said, "Mom, I'm so excited about Jump Rope for Heart. I hope I raise the most money again even though I already have the biggest prize. I just want to raise the most." He went on to explain that the big gift from the American Heart Association this year is the same bike that he received for his birthday a couple of years ago. He began to think of ideas for what to do with this bike if he were to get it. Keep it, and give his old one to his sister? Give it to his friend across the street so they could ride together? Or keep them both for himself for friends when they come over? I offered up the idea that it would be really cool to give it to the student at Jackson who raised the closest amount to him as a way to thank them for helping kids with special hearts, too. He shrugged his shoulders, gave me a "yeah, maybe", and went on to finish his dinner.
Again, we emailed our amazing friends and family members to let them know about Owen's participation, and again, they overwhelmed us with their amazing support and generosity! Owen jumped his little heart out at the jump-a-thon and had a blast with his friends doing it!
Last week, Owen's PE Teacher gathered the first graders together to hand out the gifts sent by the American Heart Association. Owen's name was called last when she announced that in memory of his dad, Owen had raised over $2,600 and raised more than any other student at Jackson Elementary. The school beat their own fundraising record again, too! Owen's eyes filled with tears as he stood to receive his gifts. He walked to the front, and one by one, Mrs. Coleman gave him the gifts ending with that grand prize Razor bike we had talked about all those weeks ago. Owen tapped her on the shoulder, and said he had something he would like to say: "On Monday morning (at the all school assembly), I have a surprise for everyone. Whoever raised the most money closest to me is gonna get this Razor 360. Cuz I already have one." The kids gasped, and the adults wiped tears from their eyes. My mother's heart swelled with pride and gratitude to have a son with such a big, big heart. It was such a special, precious moment that I know I will never forget.
Even more precious to me, is the statement Owen made as we walked back to his classroom that day. "Mom", he said, "I'm sure glad I won, but what I'm most excited about more than anything, is that I get to give that bike away!" And this week, he got to do just that. At the all-school assembly, he was able to announce the winner of the Razor 360 - a fellow first grade girl, named Alix. She was excited, and even brought Owen cookies the next day to say thank you. He thought that was pretty cool, too.
So I just want to say to everyone who donated...THANK YOU. Thank you for supporting the American Heart Association. Thank you for supporting Owen and our family as we continue to walk through these difficult days, and thank you for providing my son with the opportunity to pay it forward....to take the kindness and generosity you have shown, and pass it along to someone else. To see that it IS better to give than to receive...a life lesson that his daddy lived by. And if he's anything like his daddy (and I know he is!) - he is just getting started!
God Bless,
Carrie
