Growing up - and looking back

It’s been a while since I wrote an Evan’s Big Journey blog.

On one hand, I apologise for that - I know that so many people who have helped out over the years or have met Ev in some way or another like to keep in touch. However, on the other hand, I don’t apologise - not writing it as often means that Evan is moving on. So much has happened in the last couple of years that we could write a book, and one day I might...

That said - this week something has been poking me in the side, whispering in my ear, prompting me to write another one. Well, two things, in fact.

The first is that feature on Facebook which tells you what you were doing this day on previous years. 5 years ago to be specific. This was the time when we had just started fundraising and events just came along one after the other. There were updates about loads of twitter based celebs retweeting that led to loads of website hit and donations. Other updates about starting Evan’s Big Ball and Win Christmas - and updates about so many other events. We even did a piece on Pulse FM that - until looking back just now - I’d totally forgotten about. We’d hit over £18,000 in just 2 months. All of this somehow didn’t seem as bizarre back then as it now seems when my phone reminds me first thing in a morning that “you have memories...”.

The second is that for the last couple of days Evan has been picked up by school transport to take him to South Craven. Secondary school. Something which just over 5 years ago we could never have countenanced. School has been a massive part of Evan’s Big Journey - as we left him in the hands of first Aireview and then Hothfield but South Craven - Secondary school - is the biggy. We wave him off, and it’s tough. He looks small again, and we have to hand him over to someone who will look after him. We’ve had to do that quite a lot; whether it was the team at Jimmy’s,  Dr Park’s team or at the school doors. If the activity of 5 years ago hadn’t happened then the last couple of days would have been so much different - and certainly harder.

He’s been fine the first couple of days - aside from a couple of mishaps with his schoolbag but life’s like that and he’s survived. Perhaps one of the biggest steps of Evan’s Big Journey - but he seems to be taking it in his stride.