Keep looking up...

As many of you (if not all) have probably seen before, Rowan has this special pose that he does when he accomplishes something big, or is super happy or excited.  He did this at Disney World and he does this every time he climbs to the top of Enchanted Rock.  Here are some of those photos:

A couple weeks ago Rowan climbed to the top of Enchanted Rock himself again. 

And here he is, doing that special pose at the top of the hill again:

 

When I uploaded the pictures that night and Rowan and I were looking at them,

I asked him what makes him pose like that. 
He said, "What do you mean?" 

I explained, "Like, why do you throw your arms up
and look up to the sky when you get to the top?" 
His answer was,
"Well, how do you think I make it up there in the first place?" 

Amazing answer and reason. 
He does it to thank God... for getting him there... to the top. 

We talked some more that night and Rowan told me,

"It's God Mom.  God who helps me get to the top.  He helps me wake up. 
He helps me do everything I do.
 It's the same as what Kidd always said...
Keep looking up, cause that's where it all is!"

Then he explained, "You know he means God right?  It's like that. 
That's why I look up too."

Once again I am just blessed and amazed at his point of view.
 It comes at a perfect time too...

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of Kidd Kraddick's death.  For those who don't know, he was a Dallas Radio Host and is the founder of Kidd's Kids Foundation.  Rowan and our family went to Disney World in 2011 with 49 other families of kids with chronic and terminal illnesses, because of Kidd's charity.  When he returned Rowan wanted to raise money so he could help even more kids go to Disney World.

 

 

 

 

The first year, Rowan sold his autograph (a picture of him on his Disney trip)

and was able to raise just over $4000 to give back to Kidd's Kids. 

 Last year, Rowan sold lemonade via Skype from the hospital.  He also sold his autographed ginger lemonade recipe, and held a fundraising dinner at Copa Wine Bar instead of having a birthday party for himself.  He was able to raise over $5000 last year.

 

 

 

In July, we went to the Kidd's Kids golf tournament in New Orleans so that Rowan could present his check to Kidd Kraddick himself on stage.  Rowan was so proud, and so excited.  God had a different plan that day though.  Kidd had his picture taken with Rowan and the rest of the Kidd's Kids and their families, and passed away just moments later, when he was supposed to be on stage receiving Rowan's check. 

 

 These are two of those last photos taken of Kidd.

 

It was a great loss, to Kidd Kraddick's family, his friends, the Dallas community,
 the radio industry, and the hundreds and hundreds of chronically or terminally ill children from his extended Kidd's Kids Family.  When we got back home to New Braunfels, a few days after his death, Rowan was interviewed by the Express News Newspaper and Kens-5 News. 
The interview is a tear-jerker for sure.  Check it out at the link below. 
Right around minute 1:50 is where Rowan explains what he has to do now that Kidd has passed.

http://www.kens5.com/news/Local-Kidds-Kids-remembers-Kidd-Kraddick-after-attending-New-Orleans-golf-tournament---217662101.html

Rowan is caught on camera, getting choked up himself, saying "Kidd sent a lot of sick kids like me to Disney World, and now he died, so I have to take his place...until I get to heaven with him."  This chronically ill child, once a recipient of the trip, seriously believed that it was his job now to carry on Kidd's legacy.  It both warmed and broke our hearts at the same time.

Now Rowan obviously can't take on the charity by himself, and they have a great group of folks who are keeping that alive and running in his absence and in his memory already.  However, Rowan does still feel compelled to continue to help as much as he can, in his own way.  So, it is that time of year when we are appealing to you for your help:) 

Next week we are going to have Rowan climb Enchanted Rock again, in Kidd's honor this time, and wearing one of Kidd's t-shirts with his famous sign-off on it.  Rowan will autograph photos of himself doing his special pose at the top.  To get your copy of one of these new autographed photos, please just mail him a donation to the address at the bottom of this post.  Make the checks out to "Kidd's Kids".  In return, Rowan will mail you back your autographed picture, so you can remember to "Keep looking up, cause that's where it all is!" and so you remember why Rowan looks up at the top..."because, how do you think he got there?"

In addition, Rowan is also giving up a typical 8 year old birthday party again this year and asking people to join us instead at a Kidd's Kids fundraising event at Copa Wine Bar on June 28th from 11 am to 3 pm.  Thanks to Jeff and Angie Bridges for opening up their restaurant and bar once again for this fun event, for cooking more wonderful barbeque, and for being such great supporters of Rowan and of Kidd's Kids!  Instead of buying birthday presents for Rowan, he would rather you come make your donations to Kidd's Kids.  Cash or check only.  Your donation of $20 per adult and $10 per child, will cover your plate of food, a glass of wine or Rowan's favorite lemonade.  All proceeds will be included in Rowan's donation check to Kidd's Kids this Summer.

Rowan will of course be available to sign autographs there too:)

 

We are working on one or two other possible lemonade stand dates, and will announce those once they are confirmed.  Rowan will be presenting his total donation check to members of the Kidd's Kids Foundation at the 4th Annual Kidd's Kids Golf Tournament in New Orleans on July 19th, (Rowan's actual birthday weekend).  This event is put on by Chuck and Mindi Hartzog every year, and all proceeds benefit the Kidd's Kids Foundation.  As you can imagine, it will be an extra special event this year...certainly a difficult one for everyone who was there last year when Kidd passed, but what better way to honor his memory than to give to his charity!  Rowan hopes to surpass his previous years fundraising, to blow Kidd away in heaven ('cause he knows he will be looking down on him)and "take his place" to some small extent.

 

Thanks for your support.  Spread the word.  Share this link. 

Come out and join us June 28th at Copa Wine Bar. 

Mail in your donation to:

 Rowan Windham

420 River Chase Drive

New Braunfels, Texas 78132

(checks made out to Kidd's Kids though)