The luminary lap
On Saturday night, my husband and I participated in our local Relay for Life. This was our first time attending the Relay and I was in awe of this celebration of life and hope for a cure for a disease that has touched so many lives. I could not have predicted the community empowerment and personal impact I felt while attending this 12-hour event.
My myriad of feelings started as I watched area cancer survivors, including many currently battling the disease, walk the 1/4 mile track while other participants cheered them on, held signs of hope and thanked them for their courage. The event continued as many others joined the track. Each team maintains a camp site, has snacks and enjoys the socialization of the event, between putting in laps on the track.
We stayed until about midnight Saturday night. I couldn't pull an all-nighter, like some, as I'm a bit particular about my sleep while I'm caring the little one.
The most impactful part of the night came around 9 p.m. The track was lined with hundreds of glowing remembrance luminaries. One side of the track bleachers had luminaries spelling out HOPE and another CURE. The large spotlights were turned off. The luminary ceremony kicked off with a poem about Relay for Life, followed by a beautiful song. Then, the bagpipe music began and this single bagpipe led the otherwise silent remembrance lap. My husband and I walked that lap hand-in-hand, watching people breakdown, while others just stood by a single luminary. I squeezed his hand as we walked past the luminaries we had purchased in honor of people who are important in our lives. A tear trickled down my cheek and I knew we had to keep moving if I was going to keep it together. This was truly an empowering experience. I'm not sure I can ever hear a bagpipe again without it taking me back to the thoughts I had during that lap.
I may have given to Relay for Life but it also gave me something in return. Thank you to all of you who contributed to my participation in this year's Relay. I look forward to participating again.
My myriad of feelings started as I watched area cancer survivors, including many currently battling the disease, walk the 1/4 mile track while other participants cheered them on, held signs of hope and thanked them for their courage. The event continued as many others joined the track. Each team maintains a camp site, has snacks and enjoys the socialization of the event, between putting in laps on the track.
We stayed until about midnight Saturday night. I couldn't pull an all-nighter, like some, as I'm a bit particular about my sleep while I'm caring the little one.
The most impactful part of the night came around 9 p.m. The track was lined with hundreds of glowing remembrance luminaries. One side of the track bleachers had luminaries spelling out HOPE and another CURE. The large spotlights were turned off. The luminary ceremony kicked off with a poem about Relay for Life, followed by a beautiful song. Then, the bagpipe music began and this single bagpipe led the otherwise silent remembrance lap. My husband and I walked that lap hand-in-hand, watching people breakdown, while others just stood by a single luminary. I squeezed his hand as we walked past the luminaries we had purchased in honor of people who are important in our lives. A tear trickled down my cheek and I knew we had to keep moving if I was going to keep it together. This was truly an empowering experience. I'm not sure I can ever hear a bagpipe again without it taking me back to the thoughts I had during that lap.
I may have given to Relay for Life but it also gave me something in return. Thank you to all of you who contributed to my participation in this year's Relay. I look forward to participating again.
posted by MJ at
9:49 PM
3 Comments:
I'm so glad you enjoyed this experience. Thanks for participating. My sister did it a few weeks ago and echoed some of the same sentiments. Hugs and Kisses. CK
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