On February 13, 2010 a favorite poet of mine, Lucille Clifton, died after a long battle with cancer and other diseases. The year before last while attending the Dodge Poetry Festival in New Jersey, I had occasion to hear her speak and was completely taken with her undeniable quiet grace. I happened upon one of her poems just recently and was reminded how important it is to celebrate every day we are given so I thought I would share....
won't you celebrate with me
won't you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model,
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.
lucille clifton
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Walking For 24 Hours
A Relay For Life event is 24 hours long for a very specific reason. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the 24 hour event symbolizing the fact that cancer never sleeps.
Sometimes, though, with everything else that goes on at an event, such as fundraising, ceremonies and other activities, we sometimes forget about the importance of keeping someone from each team on the track at all times. I was reminded of this recently when I discovered this beautifully written post on relayforlife.org by a survivor that I think it says it all:
"Some people actually think that walking for 24 hours is un-important? OMG! UN-IMPORTANT! Could they be more wrong?
"At a Relay seeing people, Relayers, walking the track is DAMN IMPORTANT! It's that physical display of support and compassion that finally sinks it into the minds of survivors and caregivers that other people CARE, UNDERSTAND, and are walking that hard path cancer hands out with them. The presence of those supporters walking at Relay shouts out that no one has to face cancer alone!"
"There is an emotional impact when one sees that sea of people, crying laughing, and walking non-stop, determined to complete the 24 hours of Relay. They each have this determination for their own reasons, many as a way of paying honor to those they love who have been touched by cancer but whatever their reason may be for walking that track, that public display of support and unity in the fight against cancer is awe-inspiring. I can't put it into words, but the impact of seeing all those people uniting together, well, it changed my life immediately. It made me determined to LIVE MY LIFE, and to pass on the opportunity to experience Relay spirit, of CELEBRATING life, REMEMBERING lives, and FIGHTING for a life, to every single person I meet."
"So you see, showing up and walking that "track" for 24 hours is important! In fact, it maybe the most important thing you give to someone who just heard the words "you have cancer" or kissed a loved one goodbye."
Many thanks to the writer for this important reminder!
Sometimes, though, with everything else that goes on at an event, such as fundraising, ceremonies and other activities, we sometimes forget about the importance of keeping someone from each team on the track at all times. I was reminded of this recently when I discovered this beautifully written post on relayforlife.org by a survivor that I think it says it all:
"Some people actually think that walking for 24 hours is un-important? OMG! UN-IMPORTANT! Could they be more wrong?
"At a Relay seeing people, Relayers, walking the track is DAMN IMPORTANT! It's that physical display of support and compassion that finally sinks it into the minds of survivors and caregivers that other people CARE, UNDERSTAND, and are walking that hard path cancer hands out with them. The presence of those supporters walking at Relay shouts out that no one has to face cancer alone!"
"There is an emotional impact when one sees that sea of people, crying laughing, and walking non-stop, determined to complete the 24 hours of Relay. They each have this determination for their own reasons, many as a way of paying honor to those they love who have been touched by cancer but whatever their reason may be for walking that track, that public display of support and unity in the fight against cancer is awe-inspiring. I can't put it into words, but the impact of seeing all those people uniting together, well, it changed my life immediately. It made me determined to LIVE MY LIFE, and to pass on the opportunity to experience Relay spirit, of CELEBRATING life, REMEMBERING lives, and FIGHTING for a life, to every single person I meet."
"So you see, showing up and walking that "track" for 24 hours is important! In fact, it maybe the most important thing you give to someone who just heard the words "you have cancer" or kissed a loved one goodbye."
Many thanks to the writer for this important reminder!
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