T-18 Days to the Hope & Hearts Run 5K
18 days from now I will be running in the Hope & Hearts Run 5K. If you’re wondering, I did the math and it’s been almost 13 years since I last ran a 5K – at least in any kind of competitive sense. The Hope & Hearts Run is a fundraiser for the Missing GRACE Foundation. “Missing GRACE Foundation’s mission is to provide resources and support for families that have experienced: pregnancy loss, infant loss, infertility or adoption and to advocate for comprehensive, patient-focused prenatal care for all women. Five core areas encompass the heart of the mission: Grieve, Restore, Arise, Commemorate and Educate.”
As some of you may know, my sister and brother-in-law experienced a loss in late April. Stacy was 37 weeks pregnant with Jada Grace, and during a regularly scheduled weekly checkup learned that Jada no longer had a heartbeat. This was an incredibly difficult experience for all of us, but especially for Tim and Stacy. However, some amazing things happened during this time. Stacy was induced and gave birth to Jada. As a family, we all got to meet her. This was an incredibly emotional time. To say that we were all deeply saddened would be an understatement. But we were happy to meet Jada and for the short time we got to spend with her. That time spent together with Jada and with Tim and Stacy was an incredible blessing.
During this time, a photographer donated his time to help capture these memories. This was a huge blessing to Tim and Stacy. The Missing GRACE foundation works to step in in situations like this and provide resources to families in their time of loss. They provide care packages and work through their GRACE Crisis Care Team to provide services such as professional photos and videos, if requested by the family. The Missing GRACE foundation continues its work throughout the five core areas of its mission: Grieve, Restore, Arise, Commemorate and Educate.
I am so thankful for what this foundation is working to do for other families in a similar situation. I am running in this 5K and ask that you consider giving to Team Jada Grace on my behalf. I want to help Stacy and Tim raise as much money as possible for this worthy cause.
As I mentioned, the photographer who donated his time took some wonderful photos that will last a lifetime. Here’s a video with many of those pictures commemorating Jada Grace’s life. Warning: I’m not ashamed to say I still can’t watch this without crying.
Jada Grace Pictures from Aaron Kardell on Vimeo.