Celebrate good times, COME ON!

At the start of the Relay for Life day (Friday) I had every intention of soaking up the day and blogging about the event. I'm going to blog about the day, but much to my surprise, my thoughts are more about my dad than the event as a whole. Ive always known my dad as a good man. He's always been the type of dad that not only told, but demonstrated "doing the right things." Upon learning that my husband was going to be the Relay for Life kick-off speaking, I called my parents to invite them, knowing they wouldn't want to miss it. My parents did the typical "what can we bring, do you still need stuff"....that kind of thing. My dad helped me raise money from his family..."hey, give me $10, you too, i need ten bucks...its for relay for life." Friday came and I was busy fluttering around making sure that I had everything done, talked to the people that needed talking and made sure my position as luminaria chair was completed. During this time, mom and dad hung out, reserving the best spot to watch Nick's speech. Both really liked it. The survivors lap was next...what a great thing to see 14 people in purple shirts walk the track united as survivors as the small but noisy group cheered them on. the next lap is the survivors with caregivers lap. Now, I didn't know Nick during his cancer treatments, let alone care for him, but I do take care of him now...so I walked with him. So...this is where I get a little teary eyed. at about 1/4 way around the track, my parents were standing, waiting to cheer us on. For anyone that knows my dad, he doesn't make decisions if he doesn't have to. He is very much a phelegmatic whose love language is acts of service. There was a lady walking without any family or caregiver. My dad didn't hesitate or look back, or even say to my mom that he was going to walk with her. He jumped on that track, took her by the arm and walked with her the rest of the way around the track. After the lap, he was choked up and rather upset that her family wasn't there to walk with her. "I just don't get why her family wouldn't be here for her..." My dad has a lot of things that are important to him, but i would rate the top three as family, golf and work...not always in that order. Since his mother passed away in 11/05, Ive seen the effort to show his family how important we are. It truly did pull at his heart to see this woman that has survived cancer walk without someone there to show they were proud of her.

Nick, surrounded by the other survivors


Dad continued to impress me as he walked the track for 2 hours....even though he wasn't part of a team. He also helped set up and light luminaria. Maybe next year he will want to be on a team.

So, aside from the impact of my dad, the entire event was pretty neat! I was the top fund raiser with $940. Nick and I surpassed our goal and raised $1,020. Team Rx was the first team to sign up and also raised the most funds with $2500. Not to brag, but, ok I will... Nick and I had more funds than 3 whole teams raised. Total amount raised by Cottage Grove RFL: $15,000. The event coordinator thought there were about 550 luminaria total, I had 80. That was a lot to set up. I did something right though, as by midnight many of the candles had gone out, bags fell over or burned. I only lost 2.

my section of luminaria still lit up.

Overall, it was a good event that was much better than I feared it might be. Nick and I have talked about how we want to be involved next year. It should be fun!

Today, July 15, is the first anniversary of our marriage. We are celebrating by hanging out and not doing much. Its been great! The current temp (at 3pm) is 79 degrees. Its a far cry from the 101 degrees it was at wedding time (3:00) last year.