Hi,
I’ve signed up to participate in the 21st Annual Pat’s Run on April 12, 2025 – an event that honors the memory of Pat Tillman while raising funds to support and invest in the Tillman Scholars carrying forward his legacy.
For those who do not know our story, here it is: Autumn Hope, our daughter, unexpectedly passed away in her sleep on December 4, 2019; she was only 16 months old, which put her out of the window of SIDS (up to 12 months). Her passing shook our family and friends to our very core, fracturing our world! I was 8.5 months pregnant at the time of the news and went into early labor. Fortunately, our medical team was able to stop it and 6 weeks later we were blessed with our son, Palmer. Robert (Bubba) and I went from one child, to no children, and to one again. We spent so much time planning to have two children only for that plan to change in the worst possible way - it was an emotional roller coaster.
Bubba and I discussed in great length our path to cope over those 6 weeks and it continues to be an ongoing conversation. Our biggest coping mechanism has been to move forward, because there is no going back and life continues to bless us. Moving forward in a positive light, we have added three more kids to our family since having Palmer: Chloe, Korben and Charlotte, they bring so many wonderful things to our lives. They keep us on our toes and we promise there are no dull moments. We remember Autumn by donating money and our time to various people and charities.
Now for the funny part, Bubba and I actually had our first outing/date after a Pat’s Run in 2012. It is only fitting that it has come full circle and now our children will run the kid’s run and participate in their first Pat’s Run. How fun right?!
This year, we have pledged to raise $500 or more to support the Tillman Scholars. We would love if you’d be willing to contribute any amount that you can in our continued remembrance of our sweet baby girl, Autumn Hope.
The Tillman Scholars are a select group of service members, veterans, and military spouses to whom the foundation grants academic scholarships to pursue their dreams of continued service – both in and out of uniform. They are creating positive change in the fields of medicine, law, business, education, the arts, and more.
