Relay for Life Event 2010

Friday was the beginning of the Relay for Life event in Meeker County.
I was encouraged to attend so that I could not only be recognized for my fight with cancer but also to be uplifted by the number of people who have fought cancer and have lived many years to tell about it. Some of them have survived cancer for as much as 50 years!

This annual event seems to be plagued by stormy weather but it went on anyway and when it came time for the walk/ relay the skies had cleared, the luminaries were lit and the program went on. The survivors were given their recognition and each of us were given a balloon to carry with us around the track. When all the survivors had returned a count down was given and we released our balloons. On my first round around the track some one, I think from the newspaper, took a picture of me and another lady who have been fighting cancer this past year. I will have to look in the paper next week to see if it is there- vanity thing more than anything else but still a part of this fight and my life to this point.
The night was hot and humid but I managed to walk a mile. Brian walked another mile for me and I haven't a clue how many laps my sisters walked for me. A special relay team, with some very dear co-workers on it was there to take a stand that night. The team name was " All Night For the Fight". They handed out beads to people as they would pass by from making a lap. On the fourth lap you received a clear bead, marking a mile. Their love and support helped me to keep going that night. How blessed I am to have such good friends!
I also was blessed by a lone, special, luminary bag, with my name on it, and placed along with the other special luminaries on the outside of the track. I am not sure who made the bag in my honor but I think I know who it was. Regardless of who it was, I want to thank them for their love and encouragement also!
The rest of the night was filled with music, bingo, drawings, a prayer service and of course food booths and team booths. The event raised a fair some of money that night and also the next morning, as they were going to serve a community breakfast. I did not make it to all the events or to visit all the booths because I got wore out but never the less I enjoyed my time there. Next year I am going to buy some luminary bags to decorate for my mother. May her memory never be forgotten. I love you Mom!