where to begin

~ Mark Roithmayr, President of Autism Speaks, me and Matt 

last night was amazing. it was gratifying and affirming beyond my wildest imagination.

there was the man who walked up to me after the speech and said ‘i’m tony. i don’t know you, but i’m so proud of you. my son .. he .. i’m going to hug you now.’

the woman who came over and couldn’t find words. she cried. we hugged. i told her not to worry; she’d said it all.

the grandmother who told me that she wears her puzzle pin everywhere she goes because people ask her what it is and then she can tell them what it means. she was afraid that maybe she was talking too much, but not anymore. she promised to keep talking.

the amazingly generous head of the teamsters union whose gala raised $125k for our walk who said, ‘your speech made everyone cry. i mean, i didn’t cry. i’m irish. but everyone else cried.’

the friends from kendall’s school who came and whose familiar, friendly faces in the crowd pushed me forward when i stumbled.

the bloggy mamas who i got to meet in real, live flesh who breathe their love and strength into everything I do.

mark roithmayr, president of autism speaks nodding feverishly and scrambling notes as i spoke. and then asking if he could have a copy of my speech.

randy price, anchor of NBC’s 7news asking if he could feature us on his program.

congressman tierney telling me that i blew him out of the water.

a line of people i didn’t know waiting to HUG me.

the tears.

the smiles.

my shaking legs.

the e-mails from you wishing me luck and love and support.

the lady who walked over with her ten year old son who was diagnosed last year saying through tears, ‘i thought i was alone. i’ve never heard anyone else talk about what we go through.’

another hug.

asking her son if he’d come find us at the walk and him saying, ‘ok, but i have to take your picture so i’ll remember.’ and matt and i smiling broadly for his cell phone camera.

dr bouie’s infectious passion for helping our children.

my friends jason and sara who came for no other reason than to learn and support me. i still can’t find the words to thank them.

the standing ovation.

the love. the truly palpable love in that room.

the wonderful young women from DCU who came to announce that they were donating $50k to the walk and then told me that after hearing me speak, they were leaving as two new spokespeople for the cause.

the unbelievable support of the inimitable melody horgan and her fabulously dedicated team, who do this FOR A LIVING.

my husband. the support, the pride, the partnership. he said, ‘i just do what every husband should.’ agreed, my love, but not what every husband WOULD.

the feeling that we can do this.

coming home to kiss my beautiful sleeping daughters, who we do it all for.

the best sleep in years.

my head held just a little higher this morning.

watch the video here

support team kendall here

thank you!