It made me ponder....What was my Purpose?? Had I REALLY made a difference?? Sure.... I had a beautiful and loving family....tried to use my gifts to the best of my ability...but had I used my time wisely?? and for God's glory?? It created a drive in me that I have never felt before. And with that...it took no time at all for me to sign up for our team.
I had such wonderful and generous family & friends that made the "fundraising"part of being on this team a breeze. (Thankfully....cause I sooo do not like fundraising) The day couldn't have gotten here any sooner. I was ready.
This is a picture of my sister in Christ Lisa and I. She is a Colon AND Uterine cancer survivor! Just before Opening Ceremonies I was asked if I would walk with Lisa in the Survivor/Caretaker Lap at the beginning of the Relay and then present her with her Survivor medal. Not knowing the coming effect on me... I said Yes!
After the Opening Ceremonies, the Survivors take their lap and then the Caretakers come along side them and walk another lap with them. I had NO clue what this 5 mins would do to me. As you walk along the track lined with people on the teams...they are clapping for the survivor...and here I was walking with her! Life at that moment just became so precious. Here she had beaten not only one kind of cancer...but two and was walking to celebrate it!! She was so gracious that I agreed to walk with her, but little did she know that I was the one BLESSED by walking with her!!!
Lisa and I started the Realy together, and then she came back Sunday morning and as if it had been planned, it was with her that I walked my last laps. Talking and sharing, while all along, me..even as tired as I was...savoring the moment.
As if walking in the Caretaker lap wasn't enough...the Luminaria ceremony and Rememberance lap was gut wrenching. I've never been effected by cancer closely....but that night.. I was. In silence, everyone walked around the track that was lined with these decorated paper luminarias... family, friends, co workers names on them that have lost the battle...are in the midst of the battle or have conquered the battle.. Again....a reminder of how precious life is.
My worship buddy Debbie and I managed to solve all the worlds problems...plan cruise trips....talk about our kids......summer camps.... and grab our lap beads as we passed our booth while we walked. She made that hour of walking so much fun!!
My worship buddy Debbie and I managed to solve all the worlds problems...plan cruise trips....talk about our kids......summer camps.... and grab our lap beads as we passed our booth while we walked. She made that hour of walking so much fun!!
The night was filled with games and activities...coffee....music....coffee....cat naps in my chair.....coffee....quiet walks around the track at all hours of the night....a beautiful sunrise......more coffee.....and then closing ceremony.
One can get rather lost and caught up in all the "event excitement" ..and forget the real reason that we all signed up for this. We were there to help fight cancer!
It was by far, one of the most touching things I've done. And you can bet...come June 26 and 27, 2010 I will be once again on that track for 24 hrs. It's the least I can do to help those who have been effected by this disease!
If you didn't get a chance, and wish to donate to the Realy For Life... you can check out my personal page and they are always accepting donations. Help Fight Cancer!
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