Are your legs or feet a bit tired this morning???? I can tell you why, and you had a really good tim

The Relay For Life yesterday was wonderful as always! I did my first Relay in 2003, 6 weeks post surgery~ I honestly never thought I would be doing another one with a newly diagnosed recurrance. But I did, and (selfishly)this one was a bit more meaningful. I saw lots of "once a year friends"~ the hard working men and women who tirelessly work to make the Relay such a success. I didn't tell any of them about my recurrance; I just let them all be happy that I am a newlywed!!!

The theme this year was 1950's Rock and Roll~ "Walk Around The Clock"~ everything was decorated to look like the 50's~ rather like the set of Happy Days. Replicas of 45 RPMs hung everywhere, some awesome old cars, and women in poodle skirts, pony tails and chiffon scarves. The Relayers had batons which looked like strawberry malts! There was a lot of Bill Haley and Elvis music playing~ they even had a sock hop! Siobhan and I, the Rebels With A Cause, had bubble wands, and floated big, beautiful bubbles everywhere!

There is always a big carnival atmosphere for the kids, a rock wall, a petting zoo, face painting and bounces and slides, all fun! Food everywhere~ even a Starbucks stand!

The survivors tent is always so welcoming and meaningful~ this year they had a quilt decorated to look like 45 RPMs and all of the survivors signed it~ aside from Chen♥ I of course wrote Be Stronger Than, Not Angry At on the quilt! The quilt gets donated to the cancer center and hangs on one of their walls.

What else? We made a a bunch of luminarias~ I made one for the Discussion Boards, of course! My daughter still has the camera, but I will be posting the CSN luminaria hopefully by this evening.


Oh...one thing this Relay also has is a Rocking Tent...for those who aren't physically up to walking the laps, they can sit in a tent full of rocking chairs and "rock the laps"! I love that they have that! They also have a prayer tent,as well as massage therapists giving free massages!

This 24 hour event is just amazing for those who stay for a few hours or overnight! The support is overwhelming~ a local pizza place brings a ton of hot pizzas at midnight for those teams doing the midnight laps, as well as any others who may be up and about. The Elks Club hosts a pancake breakfast on site at 7 AM...and by 9 AM, all who wish let Wish Balloons fly with the hopes and dreams of all of us floating heavenward.

One more thing, which I admit, I find, strangely Californian..there is also a Pet Luminary section of the arena! I don't know if any other states have that, but here in Calif we can honor the pets who have also lost their battle with the beast. I love my pets and HATE the suffering of any animal, and yet...everytime I see luminarias with Fido and FiFi, I dunno, sisters, it just startles me!

I hope that Ritzy also enjoyed her Relay Experience; I know that yesterday was her first time, and she was a bit nervous thinking about it!

I remembered to chant your names as I did the laps, and also said "CSN, CSN" under my breath just in case I forgot a few names! It keeps me focused, helps me feel even more connected to you, and for those of you who can't get to a Relay, in my mind, by saying your names as I walked, you were at the Relay with me!! So, in case your feet feel a bit tired today, coupled with a bit of left-over exhilaration, now you know why! LOL

Hugs,
Chen♥