Relay for Life 2009

Yesterday was Midland's Relay for Life -- what fun! I'm blessed with a friend in our church who puts her heart and soul into creating a booth for the event every year. She and her large circle of friends put together the BEST booth in the whole event -- quality food, attractive theme for the booth, and lots of warmth and love! I had planned to work a good part of the day, either selling food or walking laps. But, Sharon was gracious to let me just enjoy the day. Liam and I were there on our own, as this is the weekend that Paul and the older boys left for the scouting trip to Philmont. We spent too much money on cheap games, but also participated in the survivor's lap, the care giver's lap and the luminary ceremony. And, it was sweet of Rich to dedicate his walk as "Miss Relay" to me and another neighbor Sue who fought breast cancer this spring. He was a great Miss Relay, and took the prize again this year!

I've done three Komen walks already, but Relay is really a special event. It is very laid back with good music and a strong positive spirit through out the day. I enjoyed spending the day with friends, and just being together. The luminary ceremony at the end of the day is great. Presentations are given at the grand stand, luminaries are lit around the relay track, and then everyone walks around the track, silently, with candles lit. It is touching in a way very unique to Relay.

My birthday was on Friday.... a busy day since Paul and the boys were getting ready to go on their trip. And we could not go out as a family because Paul is still starving (I mean, dieting) himself into oblivion....

Dad's birthday is today.... I still need to call him.... (sheepish grin).

Komen's 3-Day Walk

I have a friend from the library, Brandi, who is walking in the Komen's 3-Day Walk for breast cancer, September 26-28. Brandi is walking with her aunt and her mother. They'll walk 15-22 miles for three days (60 miles total), and will sleep in tents each night.

This is a fund raising event for Susan G. Komen for the Cure (85% of monies raised is used for breast cancer research, etc.). Fifteen percent of the money goes to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund to provide endowment funds for research.

The 3-day walk is legendary.... I've seen books dedicated to the race, and have read only encouraging, inspiring things about it.

Today I received an email from Brandi which ended with the following: Just to let you know, my walk team is having t-shirts made up and on one of the days for the walk we will wear them. They will say "I am walking for her - Joan Grady"....

I am beyond touched by this. To say "Thank You," seems so inadequate.

Brandi is still collecting funds for her walk -- each person has to raise $2,200 to participate in the race. If you would like to support Brandi's walk, her website is here. I know that we both say "Thank you!"