Friday was the Relay for Life event, this year at Gilbert High School. This event has a special place in my heart. Aly was captain of two teams from Highland High School. She worked so hard to raise money for both teams and to help her friends raise awareness for Cancer.
Brad, Jacque and I went to the event. I took the role as the "Survivor" and Brad and Jacque were my caregivers....Jacque also took the most amazing pictures....which I will always treasure.
We went to the Survivor area, where we were given a bag of goodies and later, a nice dinner. They gave each survivor a special purple shirt with a string of beads for each year of "surviving". I had
five strings of beads. After the opening ceremonies, they asked the survivors to walk the first lap. I found a friend, Monya, who is fighting her own battle of breast cancer. We walked together. Everyone lines the track and claps. Words cannot describe the rush of emotions as you walk by total strangers who are clapping and wishing you "good luck", "congratulations", etc.
The second lap was for "caregivers" to join with the survivor. Brad, Aly and Jacque joined me. With one hand in Brad's and my other arm around my girls, I reminisced thru my memories of their love, and the struggle each had as they watched me suffer.
We are so much stronger now. Our relationships, our love, and our commitment to each other and our family is stronger. Trials really do fine-tune relationships and commitments! Aly had worked hard to "HONOR" those who have fought the fight. As we approached these memorial luminaries, our hearts were full, our eyes a little teary, and we held each other a little closer.
(This seems SOOOO long ago!!)
After a nice dinner, I was one of the first "Survivor Speakers". I guess I did OK....Brad said I didn't embarrass the family. Speaking in front of people is NOT my favorite thing to do. Fortunately many were walking around the tracks, playing games, and hopefully not listening to intently. As I was doing a little research for my speech I found this quote:
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”~Christopher Reeve
I am an ordinary person, an ordinary mom in a very ordinary life. But around us are HEROS - people everywhere (who are NOT on TV) who are MY heros. Each member of my family has found the strength to persever thru their own set of trials. No one gives up.
To my FAMILY - YOU ARE MY HERO!!!
I did have a small fan base. These are some of Aly's friends. Most of them I am proud to call my "other" sons and daughter (some I didn't know!) Aly's friends are amazing good kids, and have helped to make her years at High School fun and memorable. After my little speech, there were plenty of hugs....and tears!
Brad, Jacque and I headed home after that, but I turned right around and took pizzas to the two teams and stayed for the Luminary ceremony. They dim all the lights and the only lights are the luminaries around the track, the candles the many participants are carrying, and a large "CURE" in the bleachers, made from more luminaries. The walk is started by those who have lost fathers, mothers, etc. joined then by those whose lives have been touched....everyone. It's a quiet time of reflection, as everyone goes around the track in silence.....so very powerful. After a few laps, I went up the opposite bleachers and just watched the crowds circle the track, in silence, paying respect to those who have lost the battle and those who are still in the fight. Watching hundred circle the track, some crying, some holding on to a loved one, many leaving their candles in front of someone's luminary and continueing to walk....after all....
Cancer NEVER sleeps!
I realized how very blessed I am. I am still alive. I know that I am blessed. I have so much to be thankful for. I love my family. Words cannot express my love for them. This night will be etched in my memories for a long time!
