Run for Rory
Running in memory of our little boy at the Solihull Half
On Sunday 13 August, our alarms went off at 6:30am. Very early for a Sunday you might say but all for a good reason! We got some porridge down us and set off to Solihull where we were meeting with a group of friends in a car park. At 8am on an overcast summer’s day (read not particularly warm with a touch of drizzle in the air), a group of 5 of us met in said car park and started getting ourselves ready. Tim and 2 others were running the Solihull Half in memory of our son Rory for UK Sepsis Trust. The first of a series of runs leading up to March when Rory would have been 3.
Once we’d made it to the running village in Malvern Park the nerves started building a little more for Tim. He kept them well under wraps but it was the first half marathon he had run in 5 years. We met up with his parents and then made our way to the start line while the runners went off to their respective time pens.
We all knew why we were there. None of us would have been there if it wasn’t for Rory. The day of course had an undercurrent of sadness as we mused over the reason the guys were running and we were supporting. If Rory hadn’t have died in January it is highly likely we wouldn’t have been there raising money for UK Sepsis.
I always find there’s a great atmosphere at running events like this with many people running for charities close to their hearts. We saw people running for different cancers, heart foundation and autism. And then there were our 3 running for UK Sepsis Trust.
The night before I made several signs. I got out my red and white paints out and painted out ‘Run for Rory’. I’m not the best runner by any long shot so this was my way of showing up and supporting.
As we were waiting at the finish line for our runners to pass by, we saw several little children running the final bit with their parents. All I could do was imagine Rory doing that with his Daddy and I know Tim was thinking the same. As he ran past he grabbed one of the Run for Rory signs and held it in front of him as he passed the finish line. Finishing the run as it started, thinking of our Rory.
It was an emotional day for us all. I looked at and kissed my Rory ring many times that day and know he was there cheering on his Daddy and friends on.
Several friends joined, some with their own signs, and we cheered everyone on. It was the perfect day to remember Rory. Everyone came back to ours along with their little ones and we finished off the afternoon with a BBQ. It was the first time we had had so many people over since Rory passed and it felt strange getting Rory’s garden toys set up and bringing a few toys down from his room. That being said, seeing Rory’s friends playing with his toys and having a great time was just lovely.
At one point, a good friend said to me ‘Rory should be here’ and we hugged. Her little boy, one of Rory’s bestest little friends, then asked ‘Where’s Rory?’ The poor little thing had gone from seeing Rory every day at nursery for a year to not seeing him at all and it breaks my heart that their friendship will never get to flourish further. His mummy said that Rory had gotten very ill, then he said, ‘Yeah, Rory’s gone’. He had struggled a lot at the beginning of the year and I wish with all my heart that it didn’t have to be so.
Packing Rory’s toys back up at the end of the day was hard and had me in tears. If only we could have been just tidying them away for the evening ready to be played with the next day.
This day reminded me that many friends and family have been deeply effected by Rory. We all wish he could still be here and it feels cruel that we have to carry on without him. Instead we try to remember the happy memories and take them with us. Rory is no longer here physically so we do everything for him instead.
Tim’s next run is in a couple weeks so his training is ramping up again! This time it is the Worcester Half and I will have our little puppy Luna to keep me company. Any tips on keeping an 11 week old puppy entertained for a few hours would be greatly received!
Until next time,
Catherine