Be The Cure

When Blueberry was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 - almost 6 years ago - I was beside myself. I couldn't even believe that this was happening to 1) some so young and 2) someone my age.

She was fortunate to have stellar healthcare that really covered the majority of what she went through.

After she was clean and clear I started thinking about ways I could give back. It didn't dawn on me right away to volunteer for Susan G. Komen, and in fact I'm not sure what made me decide to do it, but I did. I don't get to volunteer as much as I would like, but I am proud to say I'm a part of the Puget Sound affiliate.

The affiliate has really made enormous strides in our community. Amoung the issues they focus on is helping those who don't have healthcare get through it. Blueberry was fortunate, but so many, especially low income, aren't and need that assistance.

If you have 5 minutes to spare, take a look at this video and all that the Puget Sound affiliate does. Some of the data they provide is shocking to me. I mean one woman every 3 minutes will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die ever 13 minutes. In the time it's taken me to write this blog, well, let's just say that's 2 or 3 too many.

There Are No Bad Days...

I know we've all had it. That one experience that suddenly jolts you back to the reality of it all. Where you're reminded just what it's all about? That one moment when you put away all your petty complaints and see life, raw and pure.

I had one of those experiences last week. It was such a powerful experience that even today I'm shaken to my core just thinking about it.

I miss my life. I hate the fact that I'm working long hours and feeling like its all for nothing. I miss enjoying my job. I miss actually getting up in the morning and wanting to go to work.

I keep telling myself I can hold out. That it's just a little bit longer. That "little bit" turns into weeks...months...but it won't be years. Come January I may have to make some difficult decisions.

Before that though I have to get through it. I've had some pretty crappy days lately. The come home, drop your bag where ever it falls, pour a bottle of wine and break down - type of days. It sucks. It truly sucks.

I was having one of those days last week. I got up early for yet another early morning at the office. I trudged my way through getting ready that morning. Cursing at the fact that I knew, I KNEW I'd spend another 12 hours working frantically and not even seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I remember wondering if I was even in the tunnel yet.

I drove to work not really noticing anything. Was it sunny out? Who knew? Was it raining? Did I run over any squirrels? Pedestrians? Did I run a stop light? Just going through the motions.

I got to Starbucks. A small beacon of hope to me. It meant that at least I knew my coffee would be good. That for the next hour I could sip on something that I knew would make me feel good, if only for a moment.

There was just one woman in front of me when I got in the store. They're pretty fast there and they know me so its rare I have to wait. The woman paid and walked away to wait for her cup of joe.

I greeted the barista - thrilled that they knew my drink and even asked if I had my sleeve with me today (I have a special re-useable sleeve thats a flamingo pattern). I paid and turned to wait with the woman in front of me. I noticed her shirt was pink. I've been trained to look at pink and think "breast cancer". Her shirt had writing on it. I glanced again to see if I could see what it said.

Then I gasped. Right there in Starbucks, and another shitty day - it all became clear to me. It was like a big huge bulb went on and everything was good.

Her shirt read: SURVIVOR: There are no bad days!

Suddenly, my problems didn't seem so bad.

"Here's a riddle for you, Find the answer: There's a reason for the world, You and I"

Holy Sunny Sunday! What a whirlwind day. I took refuge in the thought that yesterday I didn't have to do a darn thing. And you know what? I didn't. Oh that's not completely true, I did do a load of laundry, and I did go up stairs a couple of times to pee...but other than that, the Big Black Beast of Burden and I sat on the couch and watched romantic comedies all day.

This morning I was up and out the door to volunteer for the Susan G. Komen Survivor Brunch. I missed last year's volunteer opportunity, but was thrilled to be able to help out this year. For several of their other events I've done photography of the volunteer staff. This year they had professional photographers so I got to actually do some of the work.

This year's event was on a Holland American cruise ship in Seattle. They sure know how to do it up right. I sat at the registration booth and help welcome in 400 Survivors and co-survivors for this brunch. I always get such a thrill when I see so many beautiful women in one place who have fought against a disease and have won, and sitting next to them is someone who was right there with them through the whole battle.

I got to not only sit next to Blueberry, but on the other side of me was a 29 year Survivor. She told me her story of courage and how different things were 29 years ago. Suddenly I was overcome by the view of just what Susan G. Komen has been fighting for all these years. Here I sat, a relatively healthy young woman who hasn't a clue what the battle is like, and next to me is a woman who fought this battle by herself 29 years ago with 2 small children. Strength. That's all I could think of...pure strength. I hope my strength is never tested like that.

As I said, I was sitting next to Blueberry. As each Survivor entered the ship they were given a raffle ticket - oh sorry they are "opportunity drawing tickets". Then you could purchase more tickets for $10 a piece. Blueberry decided to buy another ticket. The main drawing event was a 7 day cruise donated by Holland America. The cruise options were: the Caribbean, Alaska, New England or Mexico. They start reading the number. I'm leaning over Blueberry saying, "Oh my god. Oh my god." with each number that passes. Six numbers later and she's a winner! Yes that's right Blueberry won the 7 day cruise for 2 people. You gotta know I just stared at her and made her almost promise I'd be her +1 on this cruise. Of course I may now have to be nice to her for a bit.

Risin' up, back on the street, Did my time, took my chances

I'm blessed. I got to spend three long, glorious days chasing three amazing people around Everette and Seattle. My walkers did it! All three walked the 60 miles in what was, at times, blistering heat. But they prevailed. They did not let it stop them.

This year I got to experience the 3 Day as an observer. I think I actually cried more. In fact, I'm tearing up now as I think about seeing my walkers crest a hill to the first cheering station. The overwhelming feeling of being part of something so huge. Something so great. And something so worthwhile

As I sit and struggle with how to explain the 3 Day I thought the perhaps some excerpts from the closing and opening ceremonies speech best said what I felt.

Read them and embrace the spirit. But first...watch the video of our trip.

One woman honors her best friend. Another woman dedicates the next three days to her daughter and her daughter’s generation. Another woman who could be any of us, has pledged the miles to come to the years that await her. Out of a deep belief that the power to end breast cancer forever lies within her reach.

This is the moment where individuals who perhaps as recently as only hours ago stood and dared to face breast cancer alone now stand united. A remarkable community of heroes. This is what the end of breast cancer looks like. Because the 1 in 8 women who will develop breast cancer is one too many.

Now, and for the Generations to come. Every lifetime is precious, And what could be a more poignant reminder than the experience of a survivor? I ask you now to turn your attention to eight such heroes, who this morning take the first steps of a new journey. Hand in hand, they surround an empty circle, A living symbol for the millions of women and men around the world...whose lives have been lost to breast cancer.

Closing
They don’t think about it. They just respond. And that is what you have done so powerfully. Faced with a disease that has no respect for human life, you didn’t ask questions...You responded with a display of courage that has no respect for this disease. Asked to submit, you would not submit.Asked to surrender, the white flag was nowhere to be seen.

It is no overstatement to say that you have achieved greatness in the last three days and for your efforts the world will not be the same. Each of you has your own hero. Your own reason for walking. Many of them are no longer with us. But many of them are.

One word of warning: It will look different out there. Tomorrow, when you cross an intersection you’re probably not going to get a round of applause. When you walk into your office odds are there’s not going to be a little girl there with a painted sign that says “Thank You.” Odds are, random acts of hugging will be the exception rather than the rule. Don’t be alarmed. If we’ve learned anything this last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it’s that goodness is our natural condition and it only takes two aching feet, two creaking knees and one mortal enemy to bring it out!

Now we ask you, as we did on Friday morning, to turn your attention to a very special group of people—our Survivors. On Friday, we used the Survivors Circle to remember all those we have lost to breast cancer. We used it to remember a time when we walked with them. We used it to hold stories of our endurance under the most trying of circumstances. This afternoon, we widen the bond to include the loved ones and friends and even strangers whose lives will be spared because we cared. On Friday, the Survivors left carrying eight flags representing eight facets of their radiant existence. This afternoon, we salute them for sharing their light with us these last three days. In the Survivors Circle, and in the spirit of all our survivors, we see that life really is a great adventure to be savored and explored. And in the end, to be lived.

The Eve

I can't get the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem/story out of my noggin.

Tonight is the night before the 3Day. I find that I'm a bit nostalgic about this event. I had to go back and read my blogs from last year. Wow. I can't believe I walked for 3 days and tried to walk 60 miles.

As I read I found myself tearing up and I thought, "Are you kidding me? Already crying." For the next three days I will be at the locations that got me all teary eye'd last year, the cheer stations. I can't wait. I have my two hats and my big wig all brushed and ready to be worn (yes I had to brush the hats, they're fur-ish after all). I have my cameras all lined up, batteries charged, a plan on shots to take...I'm all set.

Now, I just have to get through three days of cheering endlessly for 2300 heroes out there walking in support to find a cure for breast cancer. But never fear my faithful readers, I'll be posting as much as I can.

The Kids Today...

I'm sure I am not the only adult who gets a wee bit disgusted at the sense of entitlement today's kids seem to have. I was so lucky to be witness a the decline of modern civilization today. And lucky you get to hear all about it.

I was at a Starbucks this afternoon - well of course I was at a Starbucks - and in front of me was a Mom and two young girls. About 10 years old I would think. Mom couldn't have been more than mid twenties. Anyhow they all ordered a drink. Three total. They went about their way and stood by the bar waiting patiently.

I ordered and joined in the wait. The three were giggling and laughing as the barista handed them one drink at a time. Then they continued to wait. My drink comes up. And they're still waiting. Finally the barista asked if they were waiting for a drink. The mom said, "Um yah we ordered a vanilla cream frap."

Now, at this point I KNEW they hadn't, but I figured I'd watch it play out as I stirred my coffee.

The barista apologized for missing the drink order and promptly went on making the drink. She asked the cashier about it, and she said they hadn't ordered that drink, but that maybe she missed hearing them.

By this time, I'm miffed because I knew they hadn't ordered it. And here they are making two employees feel like they screwed up.

So the barista handed them the drink and apologized again. The mom turned to the girls as the got a straw right by me and said, "See, that's how you get free drinks." giggle giggle

Can you believe that? She just taught her two daughters how to lie, steal and cheat all at once. No wonder our society is going to pot.

As I got out to my car I thought about my own lovely mom. And wondered what she'd do to me if I ever did that. I'll tell you what she'd do, she'd knock me into next week. And you know how I know she'd do that, because I grew up with consequences. Every think you do has a consequence and boy let me tell you I found out just what some of those were. If I had a nickle for every time I got "knocked into next week"...I'd be a very rich woman (who pays that nickle anyhow? Is there a general fund?)

All I'm saying is we're raising a generation of kids who apparently don't think they have to pay for things, or work for things. Makes me scare to think about what my old age will be like...oh wait...I'm already old.

In other news, the 3 Day is right around the corner. If you're feeling the itch to donate this year, the team could really use the donations. In fact, breast cancer can use your donation. Visit Saving Second Base's site - pick any of the Wraspir's to donate to.

Take this once a week, and call me in the morning...

It appears my daily-ish blog is now more like a weekly-ish. I'd write more, I swear, if there was more going on. My life seems to have taken the sidelines for work currently. Which is fine, for now. I have faith that at some point I'll get my head around this beast of a program and I'll be back to my normal self - well as normal as I can be.

Interesting happenings of this weekend...

1. Missed a Dudley show. I know. I know. You're asking yourself if hell froze over. I can assure you it did not. Truth be told the universe was against me. First there wasn't anyone to go with and I wasn't about to go by myself. Second, it was pouring. I had no intention of driving my butt to Seattle to walk a bit in the rain to go see the boys. I know, my dedication is waning. I should be ashamed. Wanna know a secret? I am 100% sure there will be another show. On top of all that they were playing at one of my least favorite venues, so I figured why bother. I'm sure they'll get over me not being there.

2. Had a Breast Cancer 3 Day / 60 mile planning dinner. Can you believe 1 year ago I was strapping on my tennis shoes, serious bandages and I was hitting the path to walk 60 miles in 3 days? I'm rather stunned at how fast that time has passed. I swear it was just yesterday we walked. This year I chose to be a walker stalker instead. My BigBro, Seattle SIL, and Blueberry are all walking and they need support. Trust me. I've seen these three walk...they're a mess! Only joking. They are my heroes as are all the men/women who will be hitting the pavement this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Anyhow, had the team over to help them "carb load" and to plan logistic.

3. I got the word that I get to shoot photos for the 3 Day this year. They've had crew positions in the past for photographers but have had tons of photos to weed through and it became a bit overwhelming. I offered to take photos and weed through them for them. So not only do I get to sit on the side lines cheering (and most likely tearing up) but I get to play the role as photographer too. Woohoo! But the pressure!

4. I broke down and ordered a gadget. About 4 years ago I did some assistance work for Sur Le Table and learned knife skills. At that point, I tossed out all my kitchen gadgets and have survived with a killer cutting board and good knives. But I got drawn in by a stinkin' TV commercial. I bought The Perfect Brownie pan. I love, LOVE, LOVE the outer edges of brownies. This particular pan seems to solve my "I only like the outer edges" problem. I'll keep you posted on how it does. Cuz I know you're gonna run out and buy one.

5. For Labor day I'm celebrating by not laboring. I was going to, but think I may not. I opened my Outlook and just sighed. Too daunting. It can wait.

6. So instead I'm going to go get a massage. I'm meeting ChickenLady for lunch first. I figured we won't be able to possibly cover all the topics we should cover in our girl chat time, so I might as well have a massage too.

7. And conveniently her massage office is by a Michael's Craft store. I've come up with a brilliant idea for Blueberry's Christmas gift so I need to get busy. And by 'brilliant' I mean BRILLIANT! Well, it'll only be brilliant if I can pull it off.

8. Finished scanning all my old photos. And for a treat I thought I'd share these with you.

Mom and I in our abayas in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - circa 1986.

Ahhh TASIS high school graduation day. June 5th, 1987...was I EVER that young?

Blueberry and I in 1988 at WSU...nice flipped collars under a sweater huh? So 80's