When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision,
then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
~Audre Lorde
The EIF Revlon Revlon Run/Walk for Women's Cancers was yesterday. I am not even quite sure what to say about it. It was an intense experience! At the start you could feel all of this energy ... it was very "charged." It's hard to explain but I'll try!
There was a beautiful, supportive atmosphere and a very emotional component as well. People held up signs of lost loved ones and at times there were survivors giving speeches ... but there was also this very joyful music and a powerful sense of excitement amongst the crowd.
Before the start, Halle Berry spoke and then, as the walkers got to the starting line she would shout out the team names (a lot of people walked in teams and some had rather funny names like, "Walkers for Knockers.") Halle was on a walkway over the top of the starting line. As Caroline (one of my oldest friends and my walking buddy) and I got close to her, something struck Halle and she could barely keep it together. She was trying not to completely burst into tears, at which point Caroline and I almost did!
The starting line ...
Beautiful Halle right before she almost "lost it." You can tell she is an emotional, sweet soul!
Nothing is so strong as gentleness.
Nothing is so gentle as real strength.
~Frances de Sale
Best moment? ... Walking through the tunnel onto the field of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum!!! I was there for the '84 Olympic Games and had seen my High School Football team make the championship there! It was so exciting to be there!
With Caroline just before the finish line ... My t-shirt says "Fight light a Girl!" and is for ovarian cancer awareness.
The more you care,
the stronger you can be.
~Jim Rohn
There were sweet volunteers giving out metals to the runners and walkers, and a beautiful rose to each of the survivors. I took my rose and almost burst into tears again. I have a strange relationship with the label "survivor" but as one of Caroline's friends pointed out, "people just getting diagnosed or going through treatment can see you and have hope." Good point, but I think I will only be wearing the survivor hat (literally, that hat says "survivor"on it) when I "walk the walk."
Survivor Roses ...
I am very happy I did it.
It was a growing experience and thanks to my generous friends and family
(some of you here!)
Thanks to everyone for their support!
Make sure that you do what you can to take care of yourselves.
Women, do your breast exams, yearly checkups, ask questions and be familiar with the symptoms of ovarian cancer!
Men, talk to your doctors about what tests you should have and if you feel like somethings not quite right, don't give up until until you figure out what it is! Actually, that goes for everyone!
Happy Mother's Day
to all the amazing Moms out there
including MINE!!! :)
Blessings and light everybody!
