I missed a day. I have the layouts, just don't have the time. LOL!
Here is my layout. It's by a new company called "Authentique." And in honor of today's post, it's pink!
She's a hoot, no? LOL!
So last weekend I participated in my very first Relay for Life. And to be honest, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to put into words what it meant to me. I was part of "Team Blonde Jen," in honor of my very good friend, coworker, and BOSS Jen. (She always gets mad at me when I introduce her that way, so I had to include it.)
It was an emotional day, with periods of laughter and many of tears. When you see a toddler wearing a "survivor" sash, that image will stay with you for a while. I attended in the morning for a few hours, went home for lunch, then back from 4 to about midnight. I was honored to see another friend and coworker, Lori, make the survivor speech. To say these ladies, these friends of mine, are inspirational? The word isn't big enough. And as they walked the survivor lap together, hand in hand, well that memory will be in my heart forever. And the candlelight/luminary ceremony? I can't even describe the experience.
The events of the day made me ask myself a very tough question. Why hadn't I gone to Relay before? It isn't like the big "C" hasn't affected my life. I've heard stories all my life about my grandmother, Mabel, and how she and her sister died of breast cancer within 8 months of each other. And my other grandmother, Fornie, who we watched struggle with breast/lung cancer when I was in elementary school. Or my cousin Dave, who died way too young. Or how about my mom with breast cancer, then uterine cancer, and now leukemia (diagnosed in January)? Or my sister who had melanoma this winter as well? Or my cousin Debbie, who is fighting valiantly against a recent diagnosis of colon cancer. Or Uncle Fred, who has been battling prostrate cancer for years. Or our dear family friend Tom Gilstad who lost his battle last year. Add Lori and Jen to the list, and you can see I have very real connections to this disease. So why didn't I attend before now? It's a tough question for me to swallow.
Here's what I know. I know cancer research has come a long way from the horror stories of grandma Mabel having 3rd degree burns from her radiation treatments. When my mom was first diagnosed, every person we knew with cancer had died. Now? Lots and lots of survivor stories. And I know it's due to the work and efforts of events like Relay for Life. And I for one from now on will be relaying for all of the people I have listed above. I will support with my time and my money the research that allows us to add to the "survivor" tally. And also to stop and spend a moment honoring those who have lost the battle.
Who will you relay for?
