Race for the Cure

Falling in line with the "cha-chas for the ta-tas" little Xander and I participated (thank you again, Uncle David) in our first charity event. Though it took a lot out of me as I'm still not feeling up to par there is a nice sense of achievement coupled with a happy heart for being a part of an event like this one. There were over 7,000 participants in Spokane this year which is a drastic increase from last year's 3,000. It was moving and motivating...humbling and thought provoking at the same time. You cross the finish line and turn to applaud the survivors crossing via their own personal line and receiving a ribbon metal all the while thinking...WOW...and I complained about my coffee being too bland today? The once, twice, three time survivors...the mothers, daughters, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, cousins, coworkers, friends as they proudly sport their pink
t-shirts are a reminder that we are all effected in some way by this disease and that day by day, cancer continues to take lives.

I received news shortly after finishing the walk that my dear friend in California is ill again and I sighed with a deeper understanding of why our participation in this fight is so important. I shed tears for the strangers who wore the names of their family members and friends on their backs and made eye contact with them, silently acknowledging our kindred spirits. To my sister, my girlfriend, my kindred spirt, Sonja...I'm rooting for you, girl, and you're heavy on my heart and mind today and always. The sore feet and achin' thighs are the least we can do to bring a smile to your beautiful face. I love you, my friend.

I have decided to make this a tradition with the baby and I and to shadow box his t-shirts and a photo from each race so that he can keep them as souvenirs but more importantly as a reminder of how imperative it is to join in this fight...how important it is to care...how even he, asleep in his stroller for all three miles, made a difference that day just by being there because THAT, my friends, at 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and even at two months old is what this journey we call life is all about.