There is so much I can say about this past weekend which was beyond anything I could have imagined. I’ve been dreaming and thinking about Chloe and her life since June 6, 2007 so getting the chance to meet her parents is something I will cherish forever. How often do you get a chance to hug the people who saved your life? And then, to hear about Chloe and her siblings, friends and hometown – it was a dream come true.
So much happened in such a short time, but a few very extraordinary things stick out in my mind as I look back and unwind. It was Sunday in Chicago and I was prepping in the basement of the Hancock center to climb up 94 flights of stairs. The Coleman’s were waiting in line to get up to the Observatory, hoping to catch a spot in the front row of the cheering section. There was a young family nearby with two children and parents who were climbing in the race. The mother asked Jon and Linda to escort her kids up to the Observatory, and of course they agreed. In the same instant, the woman collecting tickets reached up on top of nearby, decorative globe. She grabbed an object from the top of the globe and handed it to the little boy. It was a large origami bird, probably folded out of the Observatory brochure or someone’s ticket. She reached up on top of the globe a second time and pulled down a smaller origami bird and handed it to Linda. It was miniature but perfectly folded. It was red, the color that symbolizes the heart. It was Chloe letting us know that she was there in spirit. Her heart was there physically, helping me get to the top with every beat (and it was a piece of cake this year!). In a place swarmed with more than 4,000 people, the little bird was resting, just waiting for the right person to find. That person was Linda.
Soon enough I crossed the finish line and heard cheers and screams and lots of excitement coming from my fans in the front row! I saw Jon and Linda out of the corner of my eye and was quickly whisked down the line to the banana and water station. The news cameras were following me. I finally got a chance to run up and hug Jon and Linda again. They pulled out the stethoscope and listened to Chloe’s heart. It was beating strong and fast and saying “this is just spectactical.” Spectactical is one of the funny words Chloe made up – she liked doing that.
Linda showed me the miniature origami bird and let me hold it for a while. We were interviewed by the news which was pretty neat and during my interview; I held the bird for inspiration. Jon and Linda were the stars of the show and now all of Chicago knows about their beautiful daughter. Check out the news piece! Be sure to watch the 2 minute video! It’s very moving.
Now we have a meeting again in May to look forward too. Until then, I'll sit and imagine that the little red bird is sitting in Chloe’s bedroom, next to my Hustle up the Hancock Medal which I gave to Linda after the race. This amazing event was just one of many in a weekend that is part of me now and forever. Stay tuned for more...
