This is a slide show of some of my day today. I dont know how to tell you how this effected me. It was more profound than I had ever imagined it would be. More emotional than I knew I even had. This was the first time I had done this, but it wont be my last.
I got there around 9, right at the opening ceremonies. I had to find our booth, and there were so many, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. They all looked like they could be us, except they werent familiar faces. I had met one of my co workers also looking, so we asked directions, and found them together. The opening lasted about maybe twenty minutes, then there was a surviver walk to start the day. It was led by two Officers on horseback, in full uniform, at a slow comfortable walking pace. I ran down to take pictures, and try to find my three survivers. You will see them in the slide show. My heart was so moved by the amount of people walking in purple shirts behind those horses, I knew the reason I got involved in this. this happens to all of us. Every single one of us can be inflicted with some horrible cancer. But these wondereful folks won this time.
Ok, the weather was agreeing with us and there was a slight breeze. Most of the team took up positions behind the booth, manageing raffle ticket sales and making sure everyone was ok. Not me. I decided we shouldnt have any Free Chips left, and got out in front and became a barker. FREE CHIPS, COME ON OVER AND GET YOUR FREE CHIPS. DID YOU GET YOUR FREE CHIPS TODAY. I was going to enjoy myself and have fun, cus this isnt about being sad, its about healing and finding a cure. Some people said they didnt have any money, but i said then you can have them for free. It was fun. I did this till 11, then Rosa and I went out walking.
The first hour was pretty simple and went quick. We stopped and looked at some of the booths, signed up for raffles, walked through the misters they had set up. We grabbed water as we past our booth, and chastised the two that took over for me. I didnt hear you when i walked up. Yell a little louder, get those people over here. I will figure out where my videos went and post them too. The second hour my feet started to hurt a little. It felt like my little tootsies were gonna burst out of my shoes. This is from the wreched boots we have to wear, even though I was wearing tennis shoes. We did both hours theough and I didnt even think it was time to stop when we did, but Rosa was the time keeper, and she said stop. She would go over before she would stop early.
I finally went home abut 2:30. I needed to get out of the sun, relax a littel and rejuvinate myself. I am going back tonight, when they light the luminares. Oh ya, Rosa and I bought a luminare for each of our survivors at the table, Linda, Tandra, and Veres. That was also very rewarding to do.
Really, i went into this thinking I would just have to write a 100.00 check, cus i couldnt bring myself to ask anyone for a donation. When i posted on here I was doing this, and you all responded the way you did, It did something for me. Then i sent the same invite out to my family, and they came through. Really, I cry every time I think of this. You carried me through this day, I bragged about you all day, to everyone that listened. todays total, without the Frito Lay match was somewhere around 6800.00. Isnt that amazing.
I know this was long, but I had to tell you what happened today. I wish I could really go into detail, but no one has that much time. I will try to get some good Luminare shots tonight, but I dont know if my camera will do it. You never know. Thank you again for all your support and generosity.
No comments:
Post a Comment