Amongst the crowded start line, Chris, the girls, his parents, our neighbors (The Sanchez Family and the Loomis Family) and my self all waited in anticipation for the race to begin. When the gun was fired all the kiddos around us sped past Chris. I was so worried that someone would hit his crutch and he would fall but soon the crowd around us fell away and it was just us walking. The girls ran ahead with our neighbors, as they had goals of their own (to run the whole mile). I don't think they knew the significance of their daddy participating in this race. For someone who was told they would never walk again to be upright and walking by their side. I don't think they will appreciate that fact for years to come. Soon we could not see any other runners until they looped around back towards the finish line. By the time we got to the half mile area, the marker had already been removed but we had a good idea of where it was from previous years. As Chris turned to loop around we saw a few other neighbors who came to cheer him on. It was encouraging and his feet were starting to ache but he was determined to keep moving. Then strangers started to cheer him on, the tears in my eyes began to swell. I could not even thank them, I could not speak. Once Caitlin and Regan crossed the finish line, they came back for their dad. June (Chris mom) was given the duty of capturing the crossing of the finish line on camera was waiting at the end. We rounded around the bend and suddenly the announcer starts screaming Chris' name and website. This was a complete surprise to all of us. Apparently June was standing next to the announcer as Chris approached the finish line. He looked at Chris with his crutches and brace and said "who is that guy". All June could get out of her mouth with the tears running down her face was "That's my son" and she pointed to her Chris Will Walk T shirt. He immediately starts spouting the website over the loud speaker, calling Chris a miracle. As he crossed the finish line, we all cried and the crowd cheered. It was so heart warming and I could not have been more proud. A stranger ran up to June and said she had gotten it all on video and would forward to us. It is now on You Tube. I will try to post a link if you have not seen it.
Chris was exhausted but overjoyed. We spent the rest of the day celebrating by watching the parade, spending time with friends and neighbors. The 4th of July has always been one of our favorite holidays but now it has taken on a whole new meaning.
