I didn't expect this year to be much different than years past...but BOY was it! For several years now Summer and I have signed up as volunteers, along with some of her Girlscout friends, at the Susan Komen Race for the Cure. It is always fun, and I always walk away feeling like we contributed to an extremely worthy cause. However. . . THIS WAS THE YEAR. Something *clicked*, and Summer Got It. How truly awesome it is to see your little girl succumb to the full reality of what this event, and more specifically..this disease...means to millions of people.
Summer and I met up with Michelle and Julia Robison and Donna and Carrie Knigge at 6 a.m. We stood in the Target parking lot and spray-painted the girls' hair pink, divided up our "pink goods" among the 3 girls, went through Chick-Fil-A for breakfast, and headed downtown. I have to say. . . Our Three Little Groupies were the HIT of the event. Everyone who saw them asked them to be in pictures with them. I swear. . they were probably stopped and asked to pose for well over 100 photos. (They got really good at it after awhile!)
This year we were signed up to help with the "Education" materials. Each girl was given a packet with information about mammograms, a reminder calendar, and instructions for breast exams. We handed out THOUSANDS of pamphlets. After about an hour, it was time for the race to start. Some of the adult volunteers pulled our 3 girls aside and gave them pom-poms and told them to please cheer for the walkers and runner! Of course, they GLADLY participated. There were so many people . . . more than I've ever seen in downtown Houston. To see all of the teams walking in honor of loved ones was awe inspiring. I felt so happy to be a part of something so big. Seeing all of the t-shirts and banners with photos on them, Summer started asking so many questions. "What causes breast cancer?" "Are the people on the shirts dead?" "Why can't it be cured?" "Can men get breast cancer?" And...most importantly, "How does this "party" help them?" Her heart, I could tell, was FULL. She poured herself into being there and helping. She cheered loudly, smiled big, and was gracious and kind. I was proud, to say the least. Here are some of the photos from the event.
3 comments:
Sharri
I will be your first comment. = D
Isn't it great when the girls "get it." You must be very proud of Summer.
Melina danced and walked at "Light the Night" for leukemia / lymphoma last Spring. She is planning to do it again this year. During the victory lap for survivors she started to cry - so I think she is starting to "get it" as well.
I think I'll stop by your blog again.
Denise
That is wonderful Sharri! I am so proud of Summer too! It is wonderful cause to be involved in. I love the pink costumes!!
Sharri you should be very proud! I love Summer and those pictures of her are awesome!
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