A Night at the Relay, or How I Survived with Help from Good Conversation, Starbucks, and Tweets

First I must apologize to all of our readers – as you will note, I failed to follow the excellent photojournalism skills of my fellow FCTimers and provide 69 colorful, engaging photos of a wonderful event.  In fact, I must admit most pictures were taken by my daughter and the amazing Laura Gogal who chaperoned not one team – but TWO – and still managed to take photos for me.  But I’ve posted what we have here, and hope to receive “official” photos from the event later.

But I did manage to post a few tweets – much to the bemusement of my fellow chaperones.  Let’s just say I don’t really know my way around a Blackberry so there were a few trial and errors.  And we successfully managed to chaperone a team of 10 girls who DID NOT SLEEP AT ALL.

But back to the event -

Many people wondered aloud how I had been persuaded to chaperone a Relay for Life Team.  Having lost my mother, father-in-law, and best friend to cancer, and my father be a survivor from two battles with different cancers, let’s just say I could think of no more worthy cause.  And last night over 800 people concurred as they gathered at Cadillac Stadium.  The organization of this event was simply incredible, with round-the-clock activities, and an especially moving luminary ceremony featuring three cancer survivors.  As we followed a bagpiper, reading the names on the luminaries that ringed the track, it was easy to remember why everyone had worked tireless the last few months – from putting together a well-orchestrated evening to holding countless bake sales to committing to an all-night walkathon.  And then the field lights were reilluminated and it was back to lip-synching the night away (a popular activity).

And then, as many of you may know, a few minutes before breakfast was to be served, a flash of lightening was spotted, and all camps were folded up and we all scurried home.  As I was lying in bed with my adrenalin pumping and my over-caffeinated head spinning, I couldn’t help but think that maybe the ending to the night – although disappointing to our young team – was quite appropriate.  For how many survivors and victims of cancer have seen that flash of lightening or heard that clap of thunder, only to have the skies rain down on them?  How many have dashed around flinging around belongings, throwing away trash, making a mad dash to the car?  Only to arrive home weary, knowing that they will have to do the same thing all over again?  The chaos of cancer has touched so many, and I am proud that little Falls Church – with its big heart and enthusiastic spirit – has tried to make a small difference in the fight against this horrible disease. And I’m glad I was part of it.  Won’t you join me next year?  (and maybe volunteer to take pictures?)