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Whoo hoo...make it a great week everyone!
Here's one for the week from Kim Popp (and yes, it's really her this time! :-)
3 comments:
I just finished my 1st Relay for Life Event. For those who don't know what Relay for Life is, it is a fundraising walk for cancer research.
I just want to say that this has been one of the most emotional days I have had in a long time.
The night began at 6pm with their opening ceremony, nothing out of the ordinary, but then it started. They asked that the track be cleared and only the Cancer survivors were allowed on the track and they opened the walk with a lap all to themselves. There were nearly 100 survivors on that track with about 500 - 600 spectators surrounding them. As they took their 1st steps to start the lap the crowd all stood and applauded each and every one of them as the walked that mile track. The crowd didn't stop clapping until the last survivor finished their lap. All while on the PA system is a Choir singing "Wind beneath my Wings" and another song that has now slipped my mind the name of but I know it was one of my favorits to sing in choir when I was younger.
Personally it brought a tear to my eye because I have lost 2 people very dear to me to Cancer.
The crowd then almost all joined the survivors in the next lap and they continue through the night until tomorrow at 10 am. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
My children (9,10,11) came with me for this event and at first they didn't understand why the people were walking and why they never stopped. So after I explained to them what this was all about they were mad at me because I didn't tell them ahead of time otherwise they would have worn tennis shoes instead of flip flops so they could walk to.
As the nightfall came the track was lit up with Luminaries in memory of those who had fought the fight but didn't win. The entire track was surrounded with Luminaries on both sides Plus in the stands they had the words "CURE" spelt out in Luminaries. Again the tears came.
My children spent most of their time outside talking to children who helped at least one of their parents with this fight. My oldest came up to me later tonight and said "Mommy I'm glad you are here to help these kids".(again with the tears) And so was I. I had heard so many stories that I wish I could give a bear away to each kid that came to me and said this is to remember my Mom or Dad, Grandpa or Grandma. etc.
For those of you who have the opportunity to go to a Relay. Please do.
Give your local Relay a call and see if you can get in as a Vendor with your NA. You will be glad you did.
I was talking tonight to one lady who was a Grief counclor and she was thinking of using NA bears as a way to help kids get over the loss of a parent.
Now I haven't sold a lot of product but being there personally has been worth every minute. I may even donate all my profit to Relay instead of what we had originally agreed on.
Sorry this post is so long but I feel it is worth the post.
1 Relay down and 5 more to go. I better get more Kleenex.
Kim Popp 1638
Awww, Kim. Thanks for posting this. Please let us know how the rest of the weekend went when you have a chance!
Annette
Hey everyone! I didn't drop out of the group, I've just been on vacation for the past two weeks and am trying to get my "bearings" before I leave again on Thursday for the conference. I will be working my tail off the next day trying to catch up on everything I missed out on while I was gone.
Sharon Geiman
#165
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