EVERYONE DESERVES A LIFETIME was the motto for our Susan G. Komen walk.
It was such an amazing experience. I haven't processed it all, but I do know I'll walk every year for as long as my body will let me. I had the privilege of walking with an amazing group of women. Our team, Big Buoys, raised $30,000!
Many things inspired me on my journey: the sons' walking for their mothers, the sisters' walking for each other, and the people walking because they must - because if they didn't, who would?
The photo above was part of the opening ceremony at National's stadium. As the sun was rising, survivors formed a circle and held these inspirational banners to remind us why we were walking. Yes, those are bunny ears - Energizer was a sponsor for the walk.
Our Team
Laura, Wendy, Jennie (our captain & 2nd year walker), Christy (Jennie's mom, 2nd year walker & SURVIVOR), Me, Sarah (SURVIVOR), Heather O. (our captain & 2nd year walker) and Heather M. (my roommate and mommy to be).
Here we are at one of the pit stops. This event was so well organized - no detail was missed. The route was incredible. We walked all around Washington, DC, which brought back some incredible memories for me!
These were two of my favorite volunteers! They were full of life and always motivated us to keep walking. There were hundreds of energetic and caring volunteers cheering us along the entire route.
The closing ceremony was incredibly moving. The same survivors from the opening ceremony formed a circle, but his time a family member joined them and held up the flag in the center which read, "To A World Without Breast Cancer".
Here we are at the finish. On a very small scale, this walk was a lot like pregnancy. You start off all excited and giddy - can't wait to pick out cute maternity clothes and eat Big Macs!
You start feeling a little uncomfortable and have to pee all the time. Then you go into excruciating back labor and swear you'll never get pregnant again.
They place that baby in your arms and the pain subsides - joy and pride feel your heart and you can't wait to do it again!