the race for the cure
Did you see the sunrise this morning?
Did you hear the mockingbird sing?
Did you touch the hand of a good friend?
Well, that’s a wonderful thing.Did you taste a strong cup of coffee
Did you smell the freshly cut hay
Did you sing “I’m alive, I’m alive
What a wonderful day!”
Tricia Walker
Saturday was a celebration of life—my life. My family and friends gathered to celebrate my 60th birthday and to participate in the Central New York Race for the Cure.
The day started at 8 AM when we all gathered at the New York State Fairgrounds. We greeted each other with hugs, and kisses, and tears. We chatted over coffee and donuts as the events were organized around us.
Our team, organized by my sister Patsy, was called “Walking Tall Warriors.” We ranged in age from 4 1/2 months to 72 years. We numbered twenty adults and ten children. We were brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. We came from as far away as Colorado and Vermont. We raised over 1700 dollars for breast cancer research.
There was pink everywhere. “Survivors” wore pink t-shirts and pink hats. There were pink pins and pink scarves and pink posters and pink shoelaces. News reports later confirmed that almost 10,000 people participated in the event. (See link in Blogroll.)
The first event of the day was “The Pink Parade.” All the survivors were to meet in front of the Legends Café for a photo and then walk together through the crowd to the stage.
At first, I didn’t want to participate. I didn’t want to be one of the women in a pink t-shirt. I wanted the whole idea of breast cancer to go away. I felt myself becoming very quiet with a deep desire to disappear. However, as I gazed at all of my family there to support me, I decided I owed it to them to participate. So with my sisters by my side I walked over to join the survivors. As I stood in the sea of pink, one of the women took my hand. That gesture turned a moment of isolation to one of support and solidarity, of courage and celebration of life.
As we walked to the stage in the midst of cheers, applause and tears of joy, I saw the faces and smiles of my family and was deeply moved by their support and love.
Letters 
I was sooo sad that I could not celebrate this day with you but my heart was there. You are such a wonderful person that I wish that I could be with you always…every day… but life does not allow that. Somehow I know that in the very near future somehow we will get together. But whether we are in close contact or are miles apart, my celebration continues that you are with us and that you are winning the battle!! I have always ignored the US Postal Stamps that honor the fight for breast cancer but when I went to the post office this last week, I took the time to spend the extra pennies to buy stamps to honor that fight because all of a sudden someone who I loved was in that fight and she was worth it!!!
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Bravo. You made it. Be proud to wear that pink t-shirt. The Tricia Walker poem is so appropriate. You’re alive, you’re alive. What a wonderful day!
Bonnie,
Thanks for your words of wisdom and friendship over the years.
Pete
I’m so glad you had a wonderful time. Everyday is indeed precious. (By the way… 60 isn’t that bad… is it? Let me know. I’ll be there soon.)