It's A Wash Out!

First of all...Happy June! If you've been the recipient of nasty, cold weather this crazy Spring, I sure hope the sound of JUNE makes you smile and I also hope warmer weather is now in your future.  We seemed to be  on the verge of a drought, then the skies opened up and we were happy to get some lovely rain.  Except yesterday we also got severe thunderstorms in the afternoon.  They came just as our annual "Relay For Life" event was getting underway.  The wind and rain did damage to the tents and the vendors that were hoping to make more money for the fight against cancer.  Our team captain, Kim, had done so much work for this day. She even took off of work to do it.  It was cancelled after the deluge of rain and wind swooped in.  Jack and I got there right after the storm had moved by, but another was on the way so the event was closed down just to be on the safe side. 

Hello nasty looking sky.

Kim was packing it up.  We are going to do some of the final fundraisers at the hospital in the next few weeks.  We have until August to turn in the final amount we raise. She lost a really cool looking pink tent that she was so excited about.  I hope it can be repaired.

The idea behind "Relay for life", in case you didn't know, is to walk the track in teams for 24hrs. while fun activities and food and music is going on all around the track. It's a great community gathering to do something to bring awareness to cancer.  It's such a touching moment when the survivors walk the track first, then head over for a free dinner to celebrate.  Our sweet Donna was there (even though I missed her!) and I hope she enjoyed the time for just a bit before it was over!

Luminaries are set up all around the track with candles inside and the names of people who are being honored or being remembered in memorial. That's another very "misty eyed" moment when the names on the luminaries are being said over the loud speaker while everyone walks in silence in the dark carrying candles with the lights from the luminaries glowing...on the bleachers the word "HOPE" is spelled out with lighted luminaries too.   I wish every one of the bags had only survivor names because that would mean cures have been found to end this horrible disease.  As you can see from this pic, the rain ruined them...so sad.

As this sign states, "there is no finish line until we find a cure"..so we will walk again next year and if you see a "Relay" event in  your neighborhood...usually around a high school track....please stop and visit.  Buy a luminary to honor a friend or loved one...buy food or raffle tickets to help raise money...it goes to a good cause.  I have too many family and friends who have gone through treatment...some are survivors...some, unfortunately, are not. So let's keep walking!

This is where cancer really needs to be....flushed away for good!