A rainy spring it’s been. Everyone knows the adage that “April showers bring May flowers.” But weeks of rain and little or no sun drags down one’s spirit, no matter how hopeful your view of the future remains.
Early last week, Mary and I began counting down the days. We were anticipating yet another trip south related to our son’s death. We watched local weather and even Boston-area weather (via NECN) to determine—would it rain on Sunday?
It rained and the day was cold and raw. Nearly 50 people—all members of Team Every Mile Yeah—turned out for the Providence Rhode Races. They ran and some walked. Our group was arrayed in green t-shirts that Mary arranged to have produced for the event.
Mary and cape prior to the start of the Providence Rhode Race 5K.
Green shirt drying out from the rain
Family drove down from Maine. Friends from the earliest days of Mary’s life rode buses and trains to Providence. Ironmen from Minnesota who had let Mark into their world of localized competition came from Boston, New York City, Washington, DC, and San Antonio to run in Mark’s memory and support our efforts to hold an event that also connected with the foundation we began: The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund.
As I was walking a sort of rear guard action during the 5K walk that our small family contingent made together, I was flooded with memories of Mark and me in the place he’d adopted as his home. Not only did he find his niche in the city, Providence welcomed him and adopted him, too. One thing the two of us never got to do was walk down the middle of Memorial Boulevard, sans traffic.
These streets were made for walking.
Mary and I spent Saturday with a special group of people who joined us first at Mark’s garden in front of the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library at Brown. That’s where the Eastern Redbud was planted in Mark’s memory during the fall of 2017. There’s also a plaque commemorating his life. The group then walked, drove, or Ubered to Federal Hill and dinner at Trattoria Zooma. Somehow, they managed to accommodate our crowd just like they told Mary that they would.
Most of Team Every Mile Yeah (Mark’s Garden-Brown University)
Marching for Mark (heading to Trattoria Zooma)
Afterwards, Mary and I walked back to the Omni where we were staying. Saturday night in Providence, the place filled with memories of Mark.
Sunday was gray, wet, and cold—just like the weather people said it would be. Thousands of runners were there for purposes other than Mark’s memory. Providence is actually a popular qualifying race for anyone hoping to run Boston’s storied Patriot’s Day marathon. The course is a flat one and there were some world-class competitors making their way through the soaked streets and boulevards of Providence and beyond.
The Ironmen, Samson and Alex, running for Mark.
Two SheJAMs’ friends
Memories haunt and even afflict us when a loved one is gone. But memories are what we’re left with.
Mary’s mom would often say at family gatherings, “remember the happy times.” I would often dismiss this as another one of her overly-optimistic sayings. It holds import these days, as I do remember those times.
Thanks to everyone who came out this weekend for Mark and the Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund. Mary and I were honored and also, humbled by your presence.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Mary, Mark’s mom. She organized all the logistics. All I had to do is show up. She’s like that and has been for as long as I’ve known her.
The weekend is now gone. File it under memories and happy times.