Troy Wendt: February 2008

A couple of weeks ago we took the whole family to Disneyland and California Adventure. Troy had never been before so we thought this would be a good time to go. The best part of the whole thing was being able to go on the rides through the exits. We went to guest services and told them that Troy was battling leukemia and the less people he is around the better. So they wrote us a "pass" to go on the rides through the exits. There should be some advantages to having leukemia right? It was just pure fun walking past everyone in line and having them stare us down. As fun as it was, I would gladly wait in line on every ride if it meant Troy wouldn’t have leukemia. But since he does it was a great perk. We all had a great time and I look forward to many many more Disneyland vacations with him.

Sorry, for the length of this post but it had to be said. I wish I was a writer to express this day better but here is my best.

Wow, wow, wow!!!! London’s Run was everything I thought it would be and much much more. The moment we arrived I knew this was going to be a special day. Once I got a look at the tribute tables with pictures of Troy, London, and Tucker the tears were flowing. One picture in particular was of London’s mom Heather and London cheek to cheek. London is bald as can be and yet they both have big smiles on their faces. That picture touched me a great deal because I think it just shows so much about them and their love for each other. Then to watch all the runners take off for the run was inspiring. People of all ages showed up to run the ½ marathon, 10K, and 2 mile fun run. The youngest person I saw was a little 6 year old girl who ran the ½ marathon. Her dad cried when she came through the finish line and so did everyone that saw her. I was inspired by her and what great people she must have in her life. What 6 year old decides to run 13 miles? It was pretty incredible. We also had a group of girls from Snow College in Utah come down just for the run. They all had t-shirts on that said Snow College runs for Troy. Then the back said miles ran……13, miles traveled……1160, saving a child’s life……priceless. Now come on, those girls were awesome. TaLisha and Jen you are amazing. I have to mention my sister Juliet who ran the 1/2 marathon with great determination. The Tyler's by nature are not athletic so that was a great accomplishment in itself. The Wendt side of our family is certainly athletic and Angie did awesome at the 10K.
Abby worked at a water station with Chris’s parents and loved handing out the water to the runners. I hear the water stations were quite a party and we appreciate all those that helped work those. Troy loved riding the mechanical bull, jumping on the bouncies, and getting his face painted with a spider. Wyatt on the other hand just wanted to wander anywhere he could and pick up every last piece of trash and put it directly in his mouth. I just love his devilish attitude. It was awesome to have our whole family out to support and a great thank you to them. We would not be able to accomplish anything without your help. To the Solomon family, we were honored to have been a part of this event and know that it is truly inspired. We will certainly attend every year from now on. Thanks to all those friends, and friends of friends, for coming out to London's Run. It was mind-blowing to see so many of you.

I could go on and on about these stories and some day I could write a book about this whole experience. Although, I hate Leukemia with all my heart and wish Troy didn’t have it, I am forever changed by this experience.