
Wow- Amazing, so last night I went to the Relay for Life event in Green Island. I did not stay the entire night but i left around 10pm---after the luminaries. OMG--- that was amazing... it was so emotional, i could not stop crying. when they started to put the bags around the track to prepare for the lighting, i was walking the track with Alexzander and so him and i started to read each bag---- as we were walking they asked for everyone to clear the track and only have the "caregivers" take 1 lap around--- these are the forgotten ones when some one is going through this tragedy---these are the people who help you get through. Zander & i respected them enough to step aside and wait until they took that lap and we honored them----as we finished our 1st lap around w/ the bags out- i just broke down, it was so sad and heartbreaking to read what some people had wrote on there bags. i saw the ones that we made in honor of my mother and a few others in our life... that is when i completely lost it-----WOW
then later on when it started to get dark- they put lights in the bags and they had all the survivors surround the track--- a torch was lit and each individual survivor walked it to another (it was completely quiet and very slow and soothing music was playing) i watched as the torch was passed from one to the next and i cried the entire time. this is to honor all the ones who have passed on from cancer and for those who have survived it. my cousin Fred was one of the survivors on the track. let me just tell you---- i am still emotional about it, just writing this i am crying all over again. i love raising $$ for a great cause, and i would love to participate in walks and events--- but this one took a little piece of my emotions and brought it to the surface. I don't know if i can do it again (maybe it get easier as the years go by), i would defiantly raise funds again, but i may just stay home the next time or maybe not.
Maybe i still need grieving time for my mother, I'm not sure. i thought i was almost prepared for her death---we saw it coming (i know, you're never 100% prepared for someone to die) but, i handled it very well. i don't remember crying to much, but the more that i think about things, and different events happen in my life the past year---- the more i start to cry and when i do i think of my mother. maybe this is my way of grieving for her and also giving back----besides she keeps popping up in my dreams at night (it's kinda creepy)
anyways, after the luminaries i hung out for a bit longer and walked the track some and then i decided it was time to head home. my cousin Melissa and her friends were kind enough to walk me to my car- as i was driving away it was very quiet for me and i had a few moments to just sit back and take it all in. that was so healing for me and i wish that my brothers and sister were there. i think that it would have been good for them also.
Well all i know is that I have already raised $100 for American Cancer Soiety and I would still ike to raise more for the year- I have until Aug 31st to get more funds in there- and then i will start again for next year. This is the site you can go to if you would like to donate---- http://main.acsevents.org/goto/hhayden
Thanks!


