To be quite honest with you, I have never known that much about Relay for Life.  I know it is a walk, for cancer, that happens once a year.  I donate every year and participate with the activities at my school, but I have never been to the big community event.  We have always had a family comittment, so the circumstances have never allowed me to attend…until yesterday.  My sister invited me to the Relay in Oconee County .  My parents and my brother came, so it was a family event.  My own children had spread out all over the place and Bill was chaperoning a chorus trip with Peter, so I went alone. 

I have to say I was not expecting the powerful effect this had on me. The survivor tent was the starting point for the opening ceremonies.  It was slightly overcast and cool. The wind was blowing, but the sun was shining between the clouds.  Survivors and their caregivers gathered on one end of the football field at the stadium.  There were people of all ages and hair lengths…mine was not the shortest.   

As the theme from Rocky began to blare over the sound system, the group of purple shirts began to separate out from the others.  Hesitant at first, but gaining courage from the cheers, the purple surged forward between the columns of cheerleaders and flag corp. members. Down the center of the football field, we walked towards the goal line.  I felt a bit like a homecoming queen with flags twirling as I walked by.  Within a couple of minutes, many around me were in tears, as was I.  Strangers just minutes before, we were united by a common experience called cancer.  One woman walked with a cane.  Another girl of 15 or 16 walked bald.  A man in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank, sat and waved his purple shirt as we rounded the track. The cheers from the crowd acknowledged the pain of our journey.  It was humbling to walk by as hundreds of people, many also in tears, clapped for us.   It was moving to say the least.  I found it hard to maintain composure as the strangers in purple shirts joined me in crying tears of release. 

Then, part way around the track of the survivor lap, our caregivers joined us.  My family came and surrounded me just as they did during my illness.  This symbol of support was full of meaning.  I could not have finished the walk, or the treatment, without them.  As we were walking, mom pointed out the luminaries that lined both sides of the track.  I had noticed them, but they were not lit yet and I had not bothered to read the names. After all, I was not in my own county; I did not think there would be any names I would know.  Just then, I noticed my name and thought ‘how amazing to notice my name on one bag among thousands. What are the chances of looking at just the right moment?’  Then I saw my name again and again and again…there were at least 80 bags with my name on them!  I was overcome.  It seems that my sister, a high school teacher, announced my name on the intercom at her school. She also told her students if they did not know anyone’s name to write on their bags that they could use mine.  Over $400 of luminaries were in my name!  Needless to say, this was an emotional moment for me.

Later, during their assigned time, Melinda and I walked with some of her high school students.  One of them gave me free cotton candy.  I guess they wrote my name so many times on the bags that they felt like they knew me!  They supported my sister as she supported me.  Like the ripples on a pond, each ring touches off others and the support spreads.  I had no idea how many people were touched by my illness.  I know the ones that are closest to me, but there are many outer rings that I could not see.  

Cancer tries to steal, but events like this give back some of what I lost on my journey.  It is a visual picture of what community is really all about. (You know how I love visual pictures 🙂  Coming together for a cause like fighting cancer, validates those that have suffered through it.  It also acknowledges that cancer touches more than just the ones that have it.  The caregivers survived the heartache as well.  I did not get to stay to watch luminaries ceremony or walk the lap of silence.  I think it probably would have done me in emotionally if I had.  Last night was a warm-up for White County ’s Relay next week. On Friday, I will know the people both walking and cheering…and that will be even more meaningful.

I am grateful to my sister for inviting the whole family to come walk together.  I believe we were all touched and reminded of what we have fought for this year.  My nieces even sent me a text message, of support during the walk.  The bond of living through suffering and trial together is a strong one.  The survivor walk solidified that unity and reinforced my motto…live fully!