Relay for Life

Friday night and into Saturday I was participating in Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.  Yes.  You read that right.  Friday and Saturday, 7pm -10am.  It is a walk for cancer to help raise money and awareness about cancer.  It is also a time to celebrate those who have beat cancer, are currently beating cancer and those who we have lost from cancer.

If you have been a follower of mine for very long,  you probably have read that my wonderfully, exceptional mother past away from Melanoma Cancer in January of this year.  It has been a rough road for those of us she left behind.  And I would venture to say, my life has not gotten better, as some say will happen.  I suppose eventually they will be correct.  But as of right now, they're not.    So you can imagine my delight (insert sarcasm) when Friday came.  I was anything but delighted to be engulfed by cancer and my mother's passing shoved into my face.  BUT I kept telling myself that I am doing this to honor my mom and her love for all.

My cousin decided that she wanted to have a team in the Relay.  She dubbed the team Sheila Love, because that was the epitome of my mom...love.  She loved anyone and everyone, it didn't matter who you were.  So I joined because I thought it probably wouldn't look very good if there was a team  at the Relay honoring my mom and I wasn't on it.  And you know I had as good of a time as one could have.  Remembering my mom, walking, being surrounded by people she loved, walking, raising money for the American Cancer Society, walking, no sleep, and more walking.  At one point I had to go sit in my car to get away from it all.  It was at the very beginning of the event.  They had all of the people who were survivors of cancer take a victory lap.  I wasn't trying to be disrespectful of those who have fought hard and won the battle against this ugly disease.  I just couldn't handle not being able to see my mom take that lap.  It isn't fair.  So I had to have my moment in my car by myself.  Another touching moment during the evening was the luminary lighting.  People could purchase a luminary to decorate with a person's name who has passed on from cancer.  My mom had four bags decorated in her honor.  

They also had bags that spelled out different words at the end of the track.  It started with Hope and ended with Cure.

Over all it was a great event.  It was hard to be there, with my mom's passing still so fresh.  But I want to thank all of you who supported Team Sheila Love, the American Cancer Society, and me with your love, encouraging words, and prayers.