The Relay opened with a survivor's lap, there were over 100 survivors present including my good friends Bob and Dianne. Each survivor carried a sign displaying the number of years since their cancer diagnosis. One man's sticks out in particular, his sign read 10 years and 6 months. After the survivor lap came the caregiver lap. I joined in then. I was a caregiver to my brother. It was quite an emotional lap. Memories of times spent with him came rushing back. Good thing I had kleenex in my pocket. On the third lap everyone joined in and the relay was under way. All night there were bands playing and food was being served. It was a lovely time to chitty chat and meet new people. Late into the night we wore funny hats and experimented with wigs.
Every time you completed a lap on the track you were given a bead, by the end of the event I had 35 beads which meant I had walked 14 km. I definitely have the blisters to prove it. My picture of the day for Saturday is of the luminaries I purchased in memory of my Mom, Dad and brother.
Achim Willner: Our funny guy.
Emma Willner: Fondly Remembered.
Gerhard Willner: Always in our hearts.
Sunday after church we went down to the beach and had some family pictures taken. I'm not allowed to post the pictures yet because Reebs hasn't been seen by her friends in her prom dress. I doubt her friends read my blog, but I promised. Techno Dude did get this really nice shot of the island so I'll use that.
Now I'm off to work to do some more editing and then to bed for a good night's sleep. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel human again.