yesterday evening my husband and i went to our first relay for life event. i have been wanting to attend one for some time now. but as luck would have it, i have previously been scheduled to work. or, five years ago, after my thyroid surgery, it was too soon for me to be able to get around the track! i find it odd that on may 19th of this year, i will be a 5 year thyroid cancer survivor. but on may 22nd, i will be having a bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer. because of this, it was difficult for me to feel in a celebratory mood yesterday.
my son is a music education major, and teaches at a local elementary school. his chorus performed at last night's relay for life. i will admit that my husband and i attended the event, just to see his chorus. i was so proud of the children! they sang with pride and enthusiasm. my son is great with children, and has a wonderful conducting style.( o.k. i am partial, but it is true). it gives me a lot of hope for the future when i see these kids participating in an event like this. the wind was blowing and it was a bit cold, but that did not dampen their enthusiasm in the least. they sang their little hearts out. i did not do a " full on cry", but i will admit that i had a few tears in my eyes.
the relay for life event, at least in our town, was a little unorganized. it was loud, and at times, somewhat confusing. what was crystal clear though, was the support and love that was offered to all the cancer survivors. the various walks around the tracks were themed. one was for survivors and caregivers, another for western wear supporters, and then the one that got to me was the walk by the children. i wish that there would come the time when children were not affected in some way by cancer. it was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.
so i think that the " relay for life events" could also be called "the relay for love". there sure was a whole lot of love to be found there yesterday. and that, for me, was the best part.
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