For years I had seen the commercials, I cried or at least teared up every time I saw them. I would watch moving videos on you tube. Friends walked and shared their stories. Late one sleepless night I decided it was time for me to embark on this courageous walk.
It was courageous for so many reasons, one for the fact it was 60 miles like I said I don't do physical activity! For the 3 days away from home, and in a tent, outside, I do hotels, not camping! For the emotions that this would bring, the memories it would bring back!
The months passed quickly. I didn't get barely any training in! I wasn't at my fundraising goal! I wasn't prepared to go! I hadn't reviewed what to bring or not to bring! I didn't even have a suitcase, but I had friends and family! They all rallied for me, the motivated me to train, they walked with me, they helped supply me with all the stuff I needed, they brought me to my goal and then some. I was so excited to do this.... and then another life altering event occurred. Another one I didn't think I could face, another one that made me want to crawl into bed, and hide from the world.
Everyone always thinks of me as so strong and so brave but I am human and when life hits I want to run sometimes too. This was the worst of them all! I almost quit! I wasn't going to walk! I told my friends, and team mates but they all told me I was!
Up to the last minute I wasn't sure I was going to do it....but I did! I left behind my home which had been my hiding place, I left my family in a time of crisis and I headed to DC.
Bright and early there I was way before my wake up time! They told us we were about to embark on something extraordinary! A journey which would take us out of our comfort zone. They told us to embrace every moment! That our journey ahead would have a profound effect on us! We hadn't taken one step yet and I already felt it all! The emotions filled the streets as we walked.
The pain was so unreal even on the first day as blisters formed. My throat had a lump that never left! But at no time did I ever want this to end! As the first evening closed I reflected on the day, and the emotions that lead me to the walk in the first place. I reflected on the cheering stations we passed and the people we saw, the several people who just came out to cheer us on. Even months later I can't explain these 3 days without such emotion that I tear up. I also reflected on what almost kept me away from this walk....and I was so proud of myself that during two major life crisis I hide under the covers for a minute...but then I arose...I looked demons in their eyes and I faced them, and I was stronger than them!
I love food! I might be a pretty tiny girl but I love food! So dinner that first night was pure bliss! Taking a shower was heaven...even if it was in a giant portable shower. And so was my bed...well my air mattress and tent. Even though I was cold, still felt dirty, had a horrible night sleep....it was still one of the best nights sleep I have ever had. It makes no sense but hey that's my life!
Day two came way too early! And the walk was so rough on my feet. Even though I appear strong, I am a wimp with pain! And my feet were killing me! It was another day of pure emotion, but one that ended with such a high, hearing Candy Coburn sing and listening to Nancy Brinkner speak. And the most powerful I picked up my mail....my friends had sent the most moving and supportive cards, I read them and my facebook comments and post in my tent as I cried my eyes out!
Day three I never imagined feeling a hole in my heart as we walked away from the camp site but I was devastated it would soon end, and was so excited to see my kids, and so proud I had made it this far. I won't lie I didn't walk the whole thing however in my defense we were told by little birdies that it was a little more than 60 miles so I'm gonna go with I walked 60 miles.
As we got closer to downtown DC and saw the White House we knew it was almost over. The range of emotion is just to powerful to put into words what you feel over these 3 days. We finally made it, we got close we heard the celebrating, the music streamed out onto the street, the "fans" lined the streets and supported every step we took! We took our finish line photo with pride and then we rounded the corner! There were many of my closest friends, their kids, my kids and my husband waiting for me. My girls had decked out shirts that they were wearing, their kids were decked out, and my family were in their specialty shirts as well. I was a wreck! Here we were in a crisis and none of it mattered at that point...all the pain from the week leading up to my walk disappeared! My friends, my family, my husband made this walk so much more powerful!
They left me to take their places on the mall to watch closing ceremonies and I was picked to participate in a special closing ceremony. Another honor! My whole journey through cancer had been filled with honors! All I can say is google, youtube what ever you need to do to view a closing ceremony of the 3 day because words can not describe the event! Words can not describe the emotion that floods through the crowds.
And then as quickly as the event began...it was over! I have no regrets! In fact that day I was ready to do it again....
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