Monday, October 06, 2008

We ROCK because we WALKED!

I want to share what the "Walk for Hope" did for me...

I looked around yesterday and we were a team...we were there for the same cause, for the same reason...and we were there together.

After I named our team "Cousins for a Cure" I was thinking I should have picked a different name because I wanted all of my friends that joined to feel just as important as my family. It was too late...so I just went with it.

As the event got closer the team name started to "fit"... it wasn't that I wanted my team to only be my cousins...it was that I wanted everyone to know we were there because of my COUSIN. Kris isn't the only reason we did this walk but Kris is the reason I started this team.
I wanted to show my support for Kris and help raise money to find a cure!

Personally...I don't want to fight the battle Kris was forced to fight! Maybe I'm selfish...but I've watched Kris take on breast cancer, I've read every email update she sent and I never want to have to know what all those "cancer words" mean! Kris is the reason breast cancer has hit my heart and she is the reason I'm scared shitless it could happen to me or you!

I'm not saying that finding a cure for breast cancer wasn't important until Kris was diagnosed...it just hadn't touched my heart...I just didn't realize how important it was until we needed a cure for Kris!

Anyway back to the walk....
I watched my aunt Debbie announce she was a 16 year survivor.
I watched my friend Celia announce she was a 4 year survivor.
I watched Kris announce that she is currently beating the *itch!!

The kids thought they were at a "free food" carnival...balloon animals, free hotdogs, cheerleaders, funny dressed people...no I'm not talking about the lovely visors!!
As they watched our survivors go up on stage they cheered and waved like they were front row to HSM. (um...High School Musical for those of you who don't know!haha!)

The kids soon realized....they were tricked! This must be some type of punishment...they have to WALK and can't turn around, or wait with Kris!! (I know...because I was kinda thinking the same thing!)

We all made it ...and I have to admit...it wasn't that bad! There wasn't anyone on our team that wasn't smiling and proud at the end.

We raised money as a team, we walked as a team and we made a difference as a team. Yesterday our team was a family...a family of friends, sisters, cousins, aunts, brothers, nieces, nephews, boyfriends, girlfriends, mothers and grandmothers!

I started Cousins for a Cure and together we made it a team!
We came together like a family and finished together....as friends!
I am so glad we did this for Kris, for a cure and for ourselves.

My mind is already mapping out our "team plan" for next year! Don't worry Cara..
it has nothing to do with the coconut bra!!
Cousins for the Cure is a team that started because my cousin made me realize we need a cure!!
Team~I hope yesterday meant something to you...because you made it mean something to me!
Kris~(I promise no more late night phone calls!) Thank you for giving us a reason to come together(..even if you didn't plan it..) you have brought our family back together!
Carlie~You are amazing! Watching you love and care about Kris and watching her eyes light up
talking about you....is...well....almost sickening! HA! I am proud of you cousin!
Debbie~16 years ago I didn't realize we could make a difference ~ thank you for being a survivor so we can make a difference today....together!
Mom~Thank you for being my bestfriend!
Karen~I know I don't even have to say anything...your probably already in tears - and if not...I love you! (now I know you are!) Ha!Ha! Thank you for being my biggest fan!



For those of you who missed it...here is the link to last nights news coverage of the walk! News

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think this says it all for everyone who came to join in!!
I can't believe how special this was!!
I'm so proud I could cry!!
huge big hugs for all,
Carla

Presca Lynn said...

I am bummed & sorry I missed it!! Sounds like it was a very memorable time!

Next year!

Carlie,Kris,Aaron,Gracie said...

So I have not been getting on the blogs because of my damn dial up...but I am Carl/Deb's and took advantage of their high speed. I will never be able to say it enough...THANK YOU. Your support truly means the world and without you all I could not get thru this! P.S. Your cousin Carlie is the best isn't he? 11 years we will be together next month and I love him even more now if that is possible....are you sick yet? Ha!