Shawnee County Relay For Life |6-3-16|

I wanted to take a quick second to thank Kelli Hegarty and Shannon Marstall for inviting me to join their team this year. Our shirts say, "We wear lime green for Mike Horton. Plowing through cancer." Isn't that amazing? I'm embarrassed to admit that this was the first year I've ever attended a RFL event. I think it's one of those things that you just have to experience to be able to fully comprehend and appreciate. I never realized, though, that this is an event for the entire community. There were so many ways to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. They had a whole area for children to play, and lots of food, drinks, and other items for sale at all of the tables. My friends, Matt and Dannielle, and their 3 boys came out for a couple hours and walked a lap, let the boys get their faces painted, and enjoyed some games and snacks. It was wonderful to feel the love and support from friends that are on the outside of this. It makes me feel not so alone, not overlooked, not forgotten. No one understands a person's struggle until they've walked in those shoes, but when you stand by that person and say, "I don't know what you're going though, but I love you and I'm here for you.", it means the world to them. I hope you will consider attending in the future!

 I will admit freely though, I was completely overwhelmed for the first couple hours. I almost felt like I didn't belong there. Like, this isn't really my life. My husband isn't sick, we aren't part of this club. But we are, and I'm going to have to learn to embrace this one way or another. The opening lap, the Survivors and Caregivers lap, was so emotional for me. To see so many people, including 3 of our team members: Mike's dear friend Shannon, who is a breast cancer survivor, as well as her mother, and their friend Kelly, take that victory lap was incredible. We clapped and cheered for every person on the track. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I hope we're walking right beside them next year.

I think it was so hard at first because it was that it all felt so raw for me. I saw so many people with their "Survivor" shirts on. I loved that. It made me so hopeful. It made me want to fast forward time. If I'm being honest though, it was really hard to see so many things that were "In Memory Of" the many loved ones that have passed away from this disease. I don't mean that I'm thinking that's our future, just that it's so sad for me to think about how many people's hearts have been broken by cancer. It was crazy to see just how many people (and this was a small percentage of one community) are affected by this. On the other hand, it was AMAZING to see how much support, positivity, love, and encouragement there is out there, too.

Anyways, I just wanted to share a little bit of my experience with Relay For Life with you. It was incredible. And a little bit hard. But pretty much incredible. I'm so glad I was part of their team.

2017 RFL Goal: Get Mike a SURVIVOR t-shirt. and raise a ton of money to find a cure.

XOXO

Robin