A Big Day... 09/13/2009
 
It's all happening.  We're leaving in a few minutes to head into Boston and catch the shuttle bus to Babson College for the 13.1 mile start of the Jimmy Fund Walk.  I am anxious about the challenge of getting through the walk in great spirits, but I am overwhelmed by the love and support I have been receiving from my crazy, yet hopeful family, my wonderful boyfriend, my friends and complete strangers who have become genuine allies through A Wish for Ashley.  

A year ago, I could not have conceived what my day to day would be like without my Uncle Will in it.  A year ago, I so refused to believe that he would no longer be in it, that I refused to consider the possibility.  I believed he would get better and live forever because I needed him.  I needed him to be the best friend he was to me- to give me the perspective, humor and love I required to face any day with a positive attitude.  A year later, I still need him.  And with A Wish for Ashley he is still with me;  bringing me closer to others in my life who offer perspective and humor and introducing new people to my life who consistently astound me with their generosity, kindness and caring.  It is the people that I know Will has brought and will continue to bring into my life through this project that keep me positive that we will find Ashley.  These people are helping me do what I've been trying to do for 8 years.  These people are going to help me show my Uncle Will just how much he will always mean to me by granting his last wish.  

Today as I walk (and crawl) the 13.1 mile Jimmy Fund Walk route, you can be sure I'll be doing a few things. 1) Scanning the crowds for any mixed race 21-year-olds who may possibly be Ashley  2) remembering all of the hilarious/serious/happy/soul searching conversations I had with Will that have made me who I am today and being thankful for the time we had 3) wondering what the next year will bring, what I'll be thinking about and perhaps who I'll be walking with for Jimmy Fund Walk 2010 and 4) sharing Will's inspirational story and our collective desire to find Ashley with anyone who will listen. 

If you're in Boston today, I encourage you to come to Copley Square around noon to join the Jimmy Fund Walk finish line celebration.  Wave one of Team Will McFarland/A Wish for Ashley (mom, Theresa, Ned and Christina) should be finishing the 5 mile walk around that time and meeting other A Wish for Ashley-ers to hand out 'wish cards' and pins to people at the celebration (thank you Amy, Dad, Pam, Sister Two and Greg for putting in so many hours today glue-ing and pinning to make the wish cards possible).  Look for them with A Wish for Ashley signs and black 'Will McFarland/ A Wish for Ashley' baseball caps- take a pin and a card and give them a chance to thank you for all of your support.  Wave two of Team Will McFarland/A Wish for Ashley (me, Sister Two, Greg, Kevin, June, John, Jo and Donny) will finish the 13.1 mile walk anytime between 1230 and.... dusk (I don't have the greatest faith in my athletic endurance).  If you're at Copley when we stumble in, know that- whether I'm able to articulate it in my state of exhaustion or not- I am so appreciative  of all that you are doing on my family's behalf.  

If you haven't seen it already, A Wish for Ashley is the front page story of today's Eagle Tribune.  Read the online version of the story here: http://www.eagletribune.com/punews/local_story_256002857.html (Thank you again, Crystal and Roger, for your help in getting the word out and your care in telling Will and Ashley's story.)  

With that, I must tie on my sneakers and go.  Wish me luck! 

With love (and Will, Ashley and all of you A Wish for Ashley-ers on my mind),

Audra

 


Comments

Karen
09/13/2009 09:18

Hi Audra,
Can you check with the Dept. of Motor Vehicles? I'm sure she is driving now and I wonder if you may be able to do something with this idea,somehow??? I read your story in the Lawrence Eagle Tribune and was touched!Keep positive and keep trying,in the end it will all be worth it,if at least for your uncles last wish.Best of Luck and God Bless!
Karen Marcello

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Anne
09/13/2009 13:06

We should all be loved as much as Ashley! I will pray for her and for your whole family. I can't imagine what it must be like to have no idea where a loved one is. God bless all of you.

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