Daily Archives: October 18, 2009

Tickets for the meals are sold out, but you can still come for the auction.  I understand there are some very nice items up for grabs!    Thank you to EVERYBODY who participated in this weekend’s fundraiser and to those of you who will be participating in this coming weekend’s fundraiser.  We can’t thank you enough for your support!

Just a quick update on Aaron’s day.  When I got to Magee this morning, he wasn’t feeling well, he said he felt “like he was getting something”.  He had a low grade fever.  As the day progressed, though, he came around a little bit, got some color in his face and was wide awake by the time the first football game came on.  (I think that’s typical for all males, though, don’t you agree girls?)  Sorry for the wise comment about males, couldn’t resist.    Nothing personal, I like males….my son is one.

When we (Aaron’s cousin Erin and I) left for the day, he no longer had a fever.  He was ready to do more time off the ventilator but the respiratory therapist thought he needed to give it a rest today….so that’s what he did!     Hopefully, he’ll feel more chipper tomorrow and Greg and Gina will be able to give us a better (and more interesting) update tomorrow night!

Please continue to pray for Aaron and his recovery.  Thank you!

I must admit that I was down and disappointed when I woke up on Saturday morning. Cold and rainy. I had prayed for sunshine and when that didn’t happen I prayed for drizzle. Oh me of little faith. I should have trusted that God had something bigger & better in store for us.

Not long after we arrived at the trail head around 9:15, family & volunteers that we didn’t know started to show up. We were not finished setting up when the first wave of bikers/walkers/runners started to arrive shortly before 10:00. I have to admit that I was ashamed that I had doubted that God would add his blessing to this day as we stood and watched group after group head out the trail in a steady rain. A sea of red ponchos and umbrellas. How easy it would have been to show up and do this on a dry 60 degree fall day. It meant so much more in the rain. And not once did we hear any complaints about the weather. Quite the opposite. 4 hours of laughter and hugs. Every one of you, friends, family, & strangers (new friends) are awesome!!

A few highlights:

People traveled from as far away as Washington D.C., Virginia & Las Vegas to participate.

A couple from E-town, who didn’t know Aaron but had heard of  his story decided to turn it into a friendly husband/wife competition to see who could raise the most money and raised $1000.

Several members from the E-town boys basketball team (Woody is the JV coach) participated. While most of them rode the entire 10 miles, 1 ran 6 miles and his dad ran to the event and out the trail for a total of 15 miles. One of them rode 4 of the 10 miles on a flat tire.

There were a host of volunteers, many of whom we didn’t know and who don’t know Aaron.

And of course dedicated & devoted friends & family from Middletown, E-town, and around the state & country.

While all of this was going on at a rain soaked rail trail between E-town & Middletown, back in center city Philly Jaime was keeping Aaron company and cheering him on as he logged 10 hours off of the vent for the second consecutive day! No cheering in this pic, but we just really like this one. 🙂

We couldn’t include pictures of everyone that was at the walk here, but there is a slide show of photos documenting the days events being put together for Aaron. If any of you took pictures that you would like to share, you can email them to Jackie Lerch at jlerch@comcast.net by Tuesday.

You are all AWESOME, LOVED, & GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!