As springtime begins in Wyoming we are starting to venture out for walks again as a family. Only this year we are missing our daughter. She went home to Heaven on October 22, 2013 after a long battle with brain cancer. 

Taking family walks has always been a favorite past time for us. I can remember going for walks around the neighborhood with the kids nestled into their double stroller and I would watch as they would look around and squeal in delight at the sunshine, birds chirping and our dogs inevitably barking at every other dog in the neighborhood.

Olivia absolutely loved to ride in the stroller without socks. She liked to feel the heat of the sun on her bare toes and she would wiggle them with utter happiness.

The kids also like to hold each other’s hands. I have so many memories of them reaching over to one another and holding hands for the majority of our walk. They absolutely adored each other.

The other day as I pushed Wyatt around the neighborhood in our new single stroller, I had a momentary flashback. As I was speaking to my friend I looked down for a second and had a flash of the double stroller and my two babies sitting next to each other. For a brief moment it felt like things were back to the way they should be. But then my eyes adjusted and I realized that my daughter wasn’t there. It broke my heart all over again.

Olivia was a truly special soul. She made my life better in every way and I am forever grateful that God blessed me with the opportunity to be her mother. I wish that she was still here to go on long walks with us and I long for the days when she would reach up and hold my hand. Forever happy to just be in my presence. 

Olivia Caldwell Foundation is a pending 501c3 nonprofit that raises money for pediatric brain cancer research in honor of Olivia Caldwell. Her life was cut short at just 20 months old after a 16 month battle with brain cancer. You can learn more and donate by visiting our website at http://www.oliviacaldwellfoundation.org.