Over the weekend I particiupated in Relay for Life which is a major fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. We walked laps around a track with the motto "We will keep walking because we walk for those who can't." in our heads. I had the oppurtunity to spend the night and walk for 24 hours like many others did but I couldn't so I walked for twelve hours and stayed for the Luminaria and Rememberance presentation. I've never known or had a connection with anyone who has or had cancer so the ceremony didn't touch my heart as deeply as it did others but it did touch others. It touched them a lot. People were bawling and speaking about loved ones so much that it made me feel almost guilty for not being able to relate.

  It was a beautiful ceremony though. They put little candles in bags with names on them around the track so the whole track glowed. We were supposed to think of each bag as a life with a stroy to tell. During the day, we walked and joked; basically it was a big party with some exercise involved. Byt when night came a more somber mood came across. Suprisingly, it wasn't as intimidating or depressing as I expected but it was very real. It made me pause and think about the big "C" word. Cancer could swoop down and take anyone. Realizing this, I practically stole every bit of information available on how to avoid it. Although the festivities were great and I think most people would love it, Relay for Life was a big eye opener for me.