This weekend was AMAZING. I don't even know where to start.
So, Relay for Life just happened to fall on the same night as my school's commencement ceremony (which I am in charge of planning.) I watched my students walk across the stage with such pride as their families cheered feverishly. The event itself went very well and I was so proud of my students. However, a piece of me just wanted to get to Relay. My family and friends work all year for Relay. It broke my heart to miss even a minute. Both events started at the same time, and I knew I was missing some of my favorite parts of Relay. I knew I was missing the opening ceremony, survivor's walk (we had three survivor's on our time), caregiver's walk (which I wanted to take part in myself), and the team walk.
So, as soon as the last student processed out of the graduation, I ran out of the building and dashed to my car. I am sorry to say that I broke several traffic laws as I rushed to Relay. My awesome friend, Jim, met me in the parking lot to park my car for me so that I could join what was left of the opening. I ran down the hill in my dress and heels, threw my bags on the field, kicked off my heels and ran. Although I missed the opening ceremony and survivor's walk, I was proud to join my mom on the caregiver's lap.
I am a perfectionist. I have a Type-A personality and I want everything to go exactly as planned. I live by the motto "No regrets on Relay morning." I never want to watch the sun come up after a night of walking that track, only to think that I could have done more. Let me just say, I do not raise money for the American Cancer Society in order to receive any type of recognition or to receive any award. I raise money for Relay for Life because I wish someone had raised money to find a cure before my step-father passed away. Again, it's not about the recognition. However, when our team was announced as a Gold Level Team and the Top Fundraising Team, I swelled with pride. My pride was not because of the recognition. My pride swelled from a very personal place within me. It came from the rare instance in which this perfectionist allowed herself to truly believe that we did all we could this year.
I am ready to start planning for next year. I won't apologize for becoming annoying with my constant begging for donations. I won't feel bad about pestering my friends and family to join us at our fundraising events throughout the year. I won't have regrets on Relay morning.
I am already a very emotional person. Relay is a very emotional night. I am inspired by the strength of the survivors and I mourn the loss of the those who have lost their battle. Until there is no longer cancer, I will continue begging. We raise money all year, so give what you can when you can. We never know which dollar will fund the research to find a cure.
A very special thanks to everyone who donated to our team's $5000+ in donations. We sincerely appreciate your support.
Now that Relay and graduation are over, I am going to take a little time to just breathe and relax. At church this morning, I was extremely reflective (imagine that). I was thanking God for the wonderful exhaustion that comes from a busy and amazing weekend filled with family, friends, and more love than any one person deserves. I certainly do not deserve even an ounce of what I have been given. I praise God for his goodness and ask that He leads me and our team as we gear up for next year. God bless you all.
So, Relay for Life just happened to fall on the same night as my school's commencement ceremony (which I am in charge of planning.) I watched my students walk across the stage with such pride as their families cheered feverishly. The event itself went very well and I was so proud of my students. However, a piece of me just wanted to get to Relay. My family and friends work all year for Relay. It broke my heart to miss even a minute. Both events started at the same time, and I knew I was missing some of my favorite parts of Relay. I knew I was missing the opening ceremony, survivor's walk (we had three survivor's on our time), caregiver's walk (which I wanted to take part in myself), and the team walk.
So, as soon as the last student processed out of the graduation, I ran out of the building and dashed to my car. I am sorry to say that I broke several traffic laws as I rushed to Relay. My awesome friend, Jim, met me in the parking lot to park my car for me so that I could join what was left of the opening. I ran down the hill in my dress and heels, threw my bags on the field, kicked off my heels and ran. Although I missed the opening ceremony and survivor's walk, I was proud to join my mom on the caregiver's lap.
I am a perfectionist. I have a Type-A personality and I want everything to go exactly as planned. I live by the motto "No regrets on Relay morning." I never want to watch the sun come up after a night of walking that track, only to think that I could have done more. Let me just say, I do not raise money for the American Cancer Society in order to receive any type of recognition or to receive any award. I raise money for Relay for Life because I wish someone had raised money to find a cure before my step-father passed away. Again, it's not about the recognition. However, when our team was announced as a Gold Level Team and the Top Fundraising Team, I swelled with pride. My pride was not because of the recognition. My pride swelled from a very personal place within me. It came from the rare instance in which this perfectionist allowed herself to truly believe that we did all we could this year.
I am ready to start planning for next year. I won't apologize for becoming annoying with my constant begging for donations. I won't feel bad about pestering my friends and family to join us at our fundraising events throughout the year. I won't have regrets on Relay morning.
I am already a very emotional person. Relay is a very emotional night. I am inspired by the strength of the survivors and I mourn the loss of the those who have lost their battle. Until there is no longer cancer, I will continue begging. We raise money all year, so give what you can when you can. We never know which dollar will fund the research to find a cure.
A very special thanks to everyone who donated to our team's $5000+ in donations. We sincerely appreciate your support.
Now that Relay and graduation are over, I am going to take a little time to just breathe and relax. At church this morning, I was extremely reflective (imagine that). I was thanking God for the wonderful exhaustion that comes from a busy and amazing weekend filled with family, friends, and more love than any one person deserves. I certainly do not deserve even an ounce of what I have been given. I praise God for his goodness and ask that He leads me and our team as we gear up for next year. God bless you all.
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